Pope Leo XIV is set to create a historic visit to Monaco on Saturday, March 28, marking the first papal trip to the tiny European principality in centuries. The visit underscores the Vatican’s ongoing diplomatic efforts and highlights the unique relationship between the Holy See and one of the world’s smallest nations.
The Pope’s visit, expected to last several hours, will be a significant moment in the long-standing relationship between the Vatican and Monaco. Historian and head of the royal palace archive of Monaco, Thomas Fouilleron, provided historical context for the ties between the two entities in an interview with Vatican media.
Fouilleron explained that the Catholic Church played a crucial role in the founding and development of Monaco. The Grimaldi family arrived in Monaco in the 13th century, consolidating their sovereign power by 1297. As members of the Guelph party in the Republic of Genoa, they supported papal authority in Europe, both spiritual and temporal, opposing the Ghibellines who favored the Holy Roman Emperor.
A turning point came in the early 16th century when Monaco gained internationally recognized sovereignty. In 1524, Pope Clement VII formally recognized the Grimaldi family’s supreme authority over Monaco.
Today, Catholicism remains the state religion of Monaco and is interwoven with the principality’s political life. The feast of Saint Devota, Monaco’s patron saint, is celebrated annually on January 26 and 27 and is considered the second most important national holiday after the Sovereign Prince’s Day on November 19. During the festivities, a gathering takes place at the cathedral for a prayer of thanksgiving, Te Deum, a significant moment of community and gratitude for the achievements of the Prince, who, according to his title, reigns by the grace of God. Historically, this signified that the monarch’s power came directly from God, demonstrating the central role of Christianity in Monaco’s political landscape.
The Church also holds a significant position in Monaco’s education system, with private Catholic schools operating alongside the state system since the 20th century. The Archbishop of Monaco wields considerable moral influence in public debates.
Regarding diplomatic relations between Monaco and the Holy See, and the common ground between the two little states, Fouilleron emphasized the importance of “soft power.” “The Vatican has observer status at the United Nations,” he said, “but the strength of the Pope’s moral authority is clearly universal, given his call. And to some extent, Monaco can also be a kind of intermediary in this very active Vatican diplomacy, each remaining in its place, especially in promoting peace.”
Concluding the interview, the historian expressed confidence that the Pope’s first visit to Monaco will undoubtedly mark the hearts and minds of the country’s inhabitants, as well as those of neighboring nations, leaving a lasting mark on the principality’s historical record.
