Pope Leo Meets with Prince Albert and Princess Charlene in Historic Monaco Trip

Emily BurackSat, March 28, 2026 at 12:12 PM UTC

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Pope Leo Visits Albert in MonacoArnold Jerocki - Getty Images

Pope Leo has arrived in Monaco, marking the first papal visit to the Catholic city-state in the modern era. It’s also notably the pontiff’s first international trip of 2026 and the second of his papacy.

His day began with an official welcome at the Prince’s Palace of Monaco by Prince Albert and Princess Charlene, and their twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.

The Pope with the royals.PLS Monaco Pool - Getty Images

Pope Leo speaks from the balcony of the Palace.Stephane Cardinale - Corbis - Getty Images

“This visit reflects the enduring bonds linking the Grimaldi dynasty to the Roman Pontiffs, as well as the historic and trusted diplomatic relations between the Monaco and the Holy See,” notes the Monégasque House. Pope Leo’s visit, they add, marks a “historic moment for Monaco and stand as a strong sign of hope, in a spirit of dialogue, peace, and shared responsibility.”

Pope Leo and Prince Albert previously met at the Vatican in January. In addition, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene attended Pope Leo's papal inauguration in Vatican City last May, with Charlene dressed in white, a privilege extended to Catholic queens and consorts. She did so again today, wearing a white lace veil as she met with him.

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Charlene, left, with Pope Leo and Albert.GUGLIELMO MANGIAPANE - Getty Images

After his meeting with the royals at the palace, per Catholic Standard, the pope traveled to “Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate to address Monaco’s Catholic community. Consecrated in 1911 on the site of the principality’s first parish Church built in 1252, the cathedral holds a storied place in Monegasque history containing the tombs of Monaco’s royal family, including that of Princess Grace Kelly, who was married in the cathedral in 1956.”

Other attendees included members of the extended royal family, including Princess Stephanie and Charlotte Casiraghi.

Princess Charlene of Monaco and Prince Albert II of Monaco look on at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.SC Pool - Corbis - Getty Images

Pope Leo then will meet with Catholic youth at Sainte-Dévote Chapel, and the day trip will conclude with Mass at the Louis II Stadium.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”