Pope Leo Monaco visit highlights growing inequality as pontiff warns against widening gap between rich and poor

Pope Leo XIV on Saturday criticised the widening gap between the rich and the poor during a visit to Monaco, marking the first Western European trip of his papacy.

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The pontiff arrived by helicopter from Rome and was received at Monte Carlo’s heliport by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene before proceeding to the Prince’s Palace.

Addressing the public in French from the palace balcony, Pope Leo warned against what he described as growing “chasms between the poor and the rich,” condemning unjust structures that deepen inequality and threaten global stability.

He urged that wealth must serve “law and justice,” cautioning that displays of power and the pursuit of dominance risk undermining peace, in an apparent reference to ongoing global conflicts.

The Pope Leo Monaco visit drew large crowds across the principality, with bells pealing and streets decorated in the colours of Monaco and the Vatican as residents gathered to welcome the pontiff.

The visit included stops at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and the Church of Saint Devota, as well as an open-air Mass at the Louis II Stadium, expected to attract about 15,000 worshippers.

According to the Holy See, the pope’s engagements also focus on environmental protection, peace-building, and the protection of life, reflecting key priorities of his papacy.

Prince Albert described the visit as a “powerful sign” of Monaco’s role within the Catholic world, noting shared commitments with the Vatican on international solidarity and peace promotion.

Despite Monaco’s reputation as a global hub for wealth, the pontiff’s message highlighted the stark contrasts within society, where affluent elites and ordinary workers often share the same public and religious spaces.

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The Pope Leo Monaco visit underscores a broader moral appeal from the Vatican, calling for greater equity and solidarity at a time of rising global tensions and economic disparity.