Pope denounces growing wealth disparity between affluent and impoverished communities

Pope Leo XIV delivered a speech from the balcony of the Prince's Palace in Monaco, standing alongside Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene, on March 28, 2026, as part of his surprise visit to the Mediterranean principality.

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The pontiff's choice of Monaco, a hub for luxury and wealth, marked his first trip to Western Europe, with the US-born pope arriving by helicopter from Rome to the world's second-smallest state, known for its casinos, luxury yachts, and fine dining.

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Upon his arrival, Pope Leo XIV was greeted by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene at the heliport in Monte Carlo, under sunny skies, before denouncing the growing divide between the rich and the poor during his visit to the tiny principality.

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In a speech from the palace balcony, the American pope condemned "unjust configurations of power" and "structures of sin" that create divisions between the wealthy and the poor, as well as between friends and enemies, emphasizing that wealth should serve justice and peace.

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The pope's words served as a clear reference to the increasing number of global conflicts, as he stressed the need for wealth to serve "law and justice, especially at a historical moment when displays of force and the logic of omnipotence wound the world and jeopardise peace."

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Bells rang out across the principality to mark the pope's arrival, as locals gathered outside the palace, waving flags in the colors of Monaco and the Vatican, with many expressing their excitement and pride at the historic visit.

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Alix Pearce, a 34-year-old sales representative, was among those gathered outside the palace, saying "I'm trembling – it's so emotional, and I'm so proud" as she attended the event with her family.

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Along the route of the Popemobile, shopkeepers had decorated their windows with the colors of both Monaco and the Vatican, while billboards showcasing the pope in his church regalia offered a striking contrast to the luxury cars and tourist crowds in the city streets.

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The highlight of the visit was set to be an open-air mass at the Louis II Stadium, expected to draw 15,000 attendees, with 64-year-old Monegasque artist and musician Eric Battaglia noting that "the pope brings people together" in a world that has been at war in recent years.

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Pope Leo XIV was scheduled to deliver speeches on environmental protection, Monaco's role in Europe, and "the protection of life in all its forms," according to the Vatican's press office director, Matteo Bruni, with the latter phrase encompassing opposition to abortion and euthanasia, as well as condemnation of global conflicts.

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Monaco, one of the few European countries where Catholicism remains the state religion, has long-standing diplomatic ties with the Holy See, and despite only eight percent of citizens identifying as practising Catholics, the church remains a rare place where people from all walks of life come together.

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Prince Albert II described the papal visit as "a powerful sign testifying to the Principality's importance within the Catholic Christian world," highlighting shared causes such as international solidarity and the promotion of peace through sport.

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Isabel Fissore, the 62-year-old owner of a small jewellery shop, secured invitations to attend meetings with the pope, calling the visit "historic" and a message of "peace, light and love" from the two smallest states in the world.

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Monaco Archbishop, Monsignor Dominique-Marie David, noted that the pope's visit represented a reaching out to "other cultures, other countries, other backgrounds and other languages" in the principality, home to around 140 nationalities.