Vatican releases program for Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Monaco

Pope Leo XIV will become the first pope in history to visit Monaco on March 28, making a one-day trip to the small European principality whose Catholic roots have shaped its identity for centuries.

The visit will include an encounter with the local Catholic community, a meeting with the country’s young people, and the celebration of Mass in a stadium.

According to the program released by the Vatican, the Holy Father will depart at 7 a.m. Rome time from the Vatican City heliport and arrive in Monaco at 9 a.m.

Following the official reception, a welcome ceremony will be held at the Prince’s Palace with Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Charlene.

Prince Albert met with the pontiff at the Vatican in January, shortly after declining to promulgate a law favorable to abortion, underscoring the influence of the Catholic Church in the principality.

After a private meeting with the royal couple at 11 a.m., Leo XIV will meet with the Catholic community at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

The principality’s constitution recognizes the Catholic religion as the state religion, and more than 90% of the population currently identifies as Catholic.

Later, at 11:45 a.m., the pope will travel to St. Devota Church to meet with young people and catechumens from the country. He is scheduled to deliver his first address in the area outside the church.

In the afternoon, at 3:30 p.m., he will celebrate Mass at Stade Louis II, which has a capacity of more than 18,000 people.

At the conclusion of the Eucharistic celebration, the pope will depart from the Monaco heliport at 5:45 p.m. and is expected to arrive back in Rome at 7:45 p.m.

The logo chosen for the brief trip highlights the spiritual and pastoral dimension of the visit. It features a black-and-white image of the Holy Father smiling and giving his blessing while wearing liturgical vestments, the miter, and the papal ferula.

According to the Vatican, the right side of the image includes a stylized depiction of a tower from the Prince’s Palace of Monaco, recalling the identity and sovereignty of the principality.

The tower is rendered in pale yellow so that the upper part of the logo as a whole evokes the colors of the Vatican flag.

At the bottom appears the inscription announcing the trip: “Leo XIV” alongside the word “Monaco,” highlighted in the bright red of the national flag and the principality’s coat of arms.

The motto appears beneath it: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” (Jn 14:6), underscoring that the pontiff comes as a spokesman for Christ himself and his message.

This article was originally published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

Source: https://www.ewtnnews.com/vatican/vatican-releases-program-for-pope-leo-xiv-s-visit-to-monaco