Pope Leo to visit Monaco

The Pope will make a historic trip to Monaco in March.

The Holy See Press Office announced earlier today that Pope Leo XIV will pay an ‘Apostolic Journey’ to the Principality of Monaco. The one-day visit will take place on Saturday, 28th March 2026.

A programme for the Journey will be released at a later date.

The trip was highly anticipated following Prince Albert’s solo trip to the Vatican this past January. The Sovereign Prince extended a formal invitation for the Supreme Pontiff to be the first reigning Pope to visit the Principality in modern history. The Vatican earlier confirmed that a trip was under consideration since mid-February.

Apostolic journeys allow the Pope to engage directly with the faithful in their own homeland. Many of the same protocols for a state visit are followed, which almost always include a meeting with the respective head of state, serving as a diplomatic gesture. They can also be referred to as a “pastoral pilgrimage”.

The Apostolic Journey will hold significant historical value as the Principality’s state religion is Catholicism.

A statement from the Monégasque Prince’s Palace said,

This visit reflects the enduring bonds linking the Grimaldi dynasty to the Roman Pontiffs, as well as the historic and trusted diplomatic relations between the Monaco and the Holy See.

As a sovereign State in which the Catholic, Apostolic and Roman religion is enshrined in the Constitution, the Principality of Monaco draws from this spiritual heritage a fundamental element of its identity, unity, and institutional continuity, while embracing a dynamic of openness and adaptation to the contemporary world.

The visit of the Holy Father will mark a historic moment for Monaco and stand as a strong sign of hope, in a spirit of dialogue, peace, and shared responsibility.

Princess Charlene is also one of the very few women who is afforded the exclusive Privilège du Blanc.

The privilège du blanc allows Consorts of Catholic sovereigns to wear white as opposed to the traditional black when meeting the Supreme Pontiff of the Holy See. The only women allowed the privilège are Queen Sofia of Spain, Queen Paola of the Belgians, Grand Duchess Stéphanie of Luxembourg, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, Queen Letizia of Spain, as well as Marina, Princess of Naples.

The Royal News Organisation will keep you up to date with the upcoming historic visit to Monaco next month.