The Principality of Monaco will receive a Pope for the first time in history: Pope Leo XIV will make an apostolic journey of just nine hours on March 28, 2026, marking the beginning of his international agenda for the first half of the year. The Holy See has released the detailed program, along with the official motto and logo, highlighting the strong historical ties between the Grimaldi dynasty and the Holy See, as well as central themes such as respect for human life, integral ecology, and a passion for sport.

The motto for the journey, taken from the Gospel of John (14:6), is  “Je suis le Chemin, la Verité et la Vie”  (“I am the way, the truth, and the life”), which underscores the Pope’s role as bearer of Christ’s message in a context of dialogue, peace, and shared responsibility. The logo combines a black and white image of the smiling Pontiff blessing, wearing liturgical vestments, a mitre, and holding a crosier—emphasizing the spiritual and pastoral dimension—with a stylized tower of the Prince’s Palace in light yellow (alluding to the Vatican flag). At the bottom, “Leon XIV” is prominently displayed in the center, and “Monaco” in bright red, evoking the princely flag and coat of arms, in harmony with the Principality’s Catholic identity, where Catholicism is the state religion according to its Constitution.

The itinerary, filled with pastoral and institutional activities, begins at 7:00 a.m. with the Pope’s departure by helicopter from the Vatican heliport. At 9:00 a.m., he lands in Monaco, followed by an official reception and welcoming ceremony at the Prince’s Palace, where he holds a private meeting with Prince Albert II, including greetings and speeches. At 11:00 a.m., the Pope presides over a Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, delivering a homily to the Catholic community. At 11:45 a.m., he addresses young people and catechumens in front of the Church of Saint Devota, with another speech.

After a break for lunch and rest, the day culminates with a Mass presided over by Leo XIV at the Louis II Stadium (named in honor of Prince Louis II) at 3:30 p.m., including a homily. The official farewell ceremony takes place at the heliport, with the return to Rome scheduled for approximately 5:45–7:45 p.m.

This visit is in response to an invitation from Prince Albert II—who was received in audience at the Vatican on January 17, 2026—and Archbishop Dominique-Marie David, who expressed the local Church’s joy at this “powerful sign of hope.” Vatican and local sources emphasize that, despite its brevity, the trip strengthens the centuries-old ties between Monaco and the Holy See, in a microstate with a deep Catholic tradition and the second smallest in the world after the Vatican.

Preparations in the Principality are already underway, with events such as a special Mass on March 12 and a press conference on March 27, in addition to an official website ( www.papemonaco2026.mc ) launched in mid-March for registrations and volunteers. This brief but symbolic journey inaugurates Leo XIV’s travels in 2026, which will continue with a tour of Africa and another of Spain.