Pope Leo XIV has condemned the widening gap between the rich and the poor during a high-profile visit to Monaco, describing inequality as a threat to justice and global peace.
The pontiff made the remarks on Saturday during his first trip to Western Europe, choosing the wealthy Mediterranean principality as a symbolic backdrop for his message on economic imbalance.
Arriving by helicopter from Rome, Pope Leo was welcomed by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene at Monte Carlo’s heliport under clear skies.
Speaking in French from the balcony of the Prince’s Palace, he criticised what he called “structures of sin” that deepen inequality between the privileged and the excluded.
He warned that unchecked wealth and power create divisions that “wound the world and jeopardise peace,” referencing ongoing global conflicts.
The visit drew large crowds, with residents lining the streets waving Monaco and Vatican flags as bells rang across the principality. Shops along Rue Grimaldi displayed colours in honour of the papal visit.
The pope’s itinerary included meetings with the Catholic community at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and a public Mass at the Louis II Stadium, expected to attract around 15,000 worshippers.
Beyond inequality, Pope Leo also addressed environmental protection, peacebuilding, and the protection of life themes aligned with Monaco’s long-standing diplomatic relationship with the Vatican.
Matteo Bruni said the pope’s message reflects opposition to war and a broader call for global solidarity.
Despite Monaco’s reputation as a playground for the wealthy, it remains one of the few European countries where Catholicism is the state religion, creating rare spaces where people of all social classes gather.
Prince Albert described the visit as a “powerful sign” of Monaco’s importance in the Catholic world and highlighted shared priorities such as peace and international cooperation.
Local residents expressed mixed reactions, though many welcomed the pope’s call for unity. For some, the visit symbolised hope in a world increasingly marked by division.
