On Saturday, March 28, 2026, Monaco will experience a doubly historic moment with the first visit of the pope to the Principality and the arrival of the first American pope born in the United States. An exceptional day filled with official ceremonies, meetings with the faithful, and a grand public mass is planned.
This Saturday, March 28, 2026, will remain etched in the history of Monaco and the Catholic Church. For the first time, the Principality will host Pope Leo XIV for an official one-day visit, at the invitation of Prince Albert II of Monaco. Arriving by helicopter at 9 a.m. from the south of France, the pope will be welcomed by the prince and members of the Monegasque government, who will escort him to the Princely Palace for an official ceremony marked by welcome speeches and a tribute to the Catholic faith, deeply rooted in the life of the Principality.
After this solemn reception, the sovereign pontiff will greet the population from the balcony of the Palace, offering a moment of communion with the people of Monaco who have gathered in large numbers to see him. In the morning, he will participate in a solemn prayer at the Cathedral of Monaco, where he will meet the faithful and offer prayers for peace and solidarity in the world. The program will also include a meeting with young people at Sainte-Dévote Church, during which he will engage with them on themes of faith, social commitment, and civic responsibility, creating a warm and accessible atmosphere.
The highlight of the visit will be the grand mass celebrated at 3:30 p.m. at Louis II Stadium, gathering several thousand faithful as well as Monegasque authorities. The celebration will feature hymns, readings, and moments of collective prayer, symbolizing the pope’s closeness to all audiences. The day will conclude with a final moment of farewell to the residents before departing for Rome in the late afternoon, leaving a Principality profoundly marked by this historic event and a double first that will remain in memories.
Pope Leo XIV: First American Pope Born in the United States
This visit to Monaco will also mark a historic first for the Catholic Church: Leo XIV, whose real name is Robert Francis Prevost, will be the first American pope born in the United States. Born in Chicago in 1955 to a family of French, Italian, and Spanish descent, he grew up in an environment deeply influenced by Catholic faith and community involvement. Early on, he distinguished himself by his intellectual curiosity and religious devotion, serving as an altar boy at the local parish and studying theology and philosophy within the Order of Augustinians.
Ordained a priest in 1982, Robert Francis Prevost served as a missionary in Peru, dedicating himself to pastoral care among the poor, migrants, and marginalized populations, developing a style of proximity and direct listening to the faithful. He later assumed significant responsibilities at the Vatican, notably as the Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a strategic position for the appointment and guidance of bishops worldwide, consolidating his reputation as a discreet yet effective diplomat within the Church.
A polyglot, speaking English, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, Leo XIV is recognized for his humane, open, and inclusive pastoral approach, seeking to bring the Church closer to the populations while maintaining the fundamental principles of the Catholic faith. His pontificate is characterized by a strong commitment to Church unity, intercultural dialogue, social justice, and defending the most vulnerable. At 69 at the time of his election in May 2025 after the death of his predecessor Pope Francis, he has brought a global vision, combining his international missionary experience and American roots, offering the Church a fresh, forward-looking breath.
With this double first, Monaco and the Catholic Church will turn a symbolic page, offering the world a pontificate both unprecedented and deeply open to the future.
The Program for Saturday, March 28, 2026
- 7 a.m.: departure by helicopter from the Vatican
- 9 a.m.: official welcome at the Monaco heliport by the Prince and Princess
- 9:25 a.m.: welcome ceremony at the Princely Palace
- 9:40 a.m.: audience and speeches from the Palace balcony
- 10:10 a.m.: joint speech by the Prince and the pope on the Palace Square
- 10:40 a.m.: movement to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and homily
- 11:45 a.m.: meeting with youth and catechumens at Sainte-Dévote Church
- 3:30 p.m.: pontifical mass at Louis II Stadium, open upon registration
- 5:35-5:45 p.m.: departure for Rome, expected arrival at 7:45 p.m.
