See All the Best Photos of Monaco’s Royal Family During Pope Leo’s Historic Visit
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Rachel KingMon, March 30, 2026 at 3:44 PM UTC
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Best Photos of Pope Leo’s Visit to MonacoVatican Pool - Getty Images
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Pope Leo XIV made a very historic, one-day trip over the weekend. The pontiff traveled by helicopter from Vatican City to Monaco, marking the first papal visit to Principality in the modern era. It also marked the second international journey of his pontificate after visiting Turkey and Lebanon last December. Vatican City and Monaco hold the distinction of being the world's smallest and second-smallest states, respectively.
The last papal presence in Monaco dates back to 1802, according to Monaco Life. That was the cortège of the deceased Pope Pius VI passing through from France back to the Vatican. Roman Catholicism is Monaco’s official state religion, with approximately 90% of the population identifying as Catholic, according to the U.S. State Department.
Pope Leo had a packed schedule after making the 430-mile flight, starting with an official welcome at the Monaco Heliport and a ceremony outside the Prince's Palace of Monaco. The Pope later addressed Monaco’s Catholic community at the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate, previously known as the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas. Consecrated in 1911 under the principality of Albert I on the site of a parish church dating to 1252, the cathedral contains the tombs of Monaco’s royal family, including both of Prince Albert’s parents, Prince Rainier and Princess Grace. The royal couple were also married there, as it is the main church of the Monégasque archdiocese, in 1956.
Here, see all the best photos of Monaco’s royal family during Pope Leo’s visit to the Principality on Saturday:
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Photo credit: Vatican Pool - Getty Images
Pope Leo XIV aboard the helicopter as he arrives in Monaco.
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Photo credit: PLS Monaco Pool - Getty Images
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene welcome Pope Leo, the first American-born pontiff, at the Monaco Heliport. Read more
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Photo credit: Vatican Pool - Getty Images
Princess Gabriella, the daughter of Albert and Charlene’s daughter and second in the line of succession to the Monégasque throne after her brother Jacques, greets the Pope.
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Photo credit: Pascal Le Segretain - Getty Images
Members of the Grimaldi family stand outside of the Prince’s Palace for Pope Leo’s welcome ceremony. From left: Princess Caroline of Hanover, Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, Charlotte Casiraghi, Pierre Casiraghi, Louis Ducruet, Marie Chevallier, and Camille Gottlieb.
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Photo credit: VALERY HACHE - Getty Images
Pierre Casiraghi, the son of Princess Caroline of Hanover, and his wife Beatrice Borromeo, wearing a matching skirt suit set by Dior, are seen leaving the welcome ceremony.
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Photo credit: Arnold Jerocki - Getty Images
Princess Caroline’s daughter Charlotte Casiraghi, dressed in head-to-toe Chanel, departs the welcome ceremony.
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Photo credit: Arnold Jerocki - Getty Images
Louis Ducruet, the son of Princess Stéphanie, and his wife Marie, are seen during the festivities.
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Photo credit: GUGLIELMO MANGIAPANE - Getty Images
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene had a private audience with Pope Leo at the Prince’s Palace, where they had a discussion described to be centered on environmental and humanitarian commitments.
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Photo credit: Vatican Pool - Getty Images
Pope Leo signs the book of honor during his visit. A portrait of Prince Albert’s mother, Princess Grace, hangs behind them.
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Photo credit: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis - Getty Images
Pope Leo gave a speech from the balcony of the Prince’s Palace, the official residence of the sovereign prince of Monaco.
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Photo credit: Vatican Pool - Getty Images
The royal family and Pope Leo look out on the crowd gathered in the plaza outside of the palace, located on a rocky promontory known as Le Rocher (The Rock).
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Photo credit: Pascal Le Segretain - Getty Images
The Pope, in the “Popemobile,” outside of Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate, previously known as the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas. It is an important site for Monaco’s Catholic community and the Grimaldi family, being the site of numerous royal weddings.
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Photo credit: Arnold Jerocki - Getty Images
Princess Charlene, wearing a bespoke Elie Saab dress and coat with a white veil, waits with Prince Albert to greet the Pope outside of the cathedral.
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Photo credit: PLS Monaco Pool - Getty Images
The Grimaldi family later regrouped at Stade Louis II for the final event, a mass presided over by Pope Leo.
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Photo credit: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis - Getty Images
A closer look at Princess Charlene’s white veil, as well as her favorite Fendi sunglasses.
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Photo credit: PLS Monaco Pool - Getty Images
Beatrice, Pierre, and Charlotte seen at Stade Louis II, the arena named for the Grimaldi prince who reigned from 1922 to 1949. It was inaugurated in 1985 by Prince Rainier.
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Photo credit: Arnold Jerocki - Getty Images
Prince Albert, Princess Stéphanie, and Princess Caroline—the three children of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier—gather for a rare joint appearance.
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Photo credit: PLS Monaco Pool - Getty Images
The Pope is seen departing Monaco after the mass via helicopter.
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