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Monaco Princely Family, Vatican

Pope Leo XIV to Make Historic Official Visit to Monaco on March 28, Hosted by Prince Albert II

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  • H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, January 17, 2026. Vatican Media.
  • T.S.H.s Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco/ Michaël Alesi/Palais Princier de Monaco
  • H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, January 17, 2026. Vatican Media.

In Monaco-Ville, the Palais Princier de Monaco announced that Their Serene Highnesses Albert II and Charlene of Monaco will host a one-day official visit from His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on Saturday, March 28.

According to the Palais Princier, the visit reflects “the enduring bonds linking the Grimaldi dynasty to the Roman Pontiffs” and the historic diplomatic relationship between the Principality of Monaco and the Holy See.

The invitation was extended by the Sovereign Prince during his meeting with the Holy Father at the Vatican on January 17, 2026, and separately by His Excellency The Most Reverend Dominique-Marie David, Archbishop of Monaco, underscoring both the institutional and pastoral dimensions of the visit.

The Palais Princier further noted that, as a sovereign state in which the Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman religion is enshrined in the Constitution, Monaco regards this spiritual heritage as a foundational element of its national identity and institutional continuity.

The visit is described as a historic moment for the Principality and a sign of hope in a spirit of dialogue and peace.

Monaco Princely Family, Vatican

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI Holds an Audience with TSHs Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco. (VIDEO)

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI held a papal audience with Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco on January 12, 2013,  at the Vatican.

According to the Vatican Radio, via the Vatican Press Office, His Holiness spoke with the sovereign prince and princess about:

“… the significant contribution of the Catholic Church in the social life of the Principality and various international issues, such as the integral development of peoples and the protection of natural resources and the environment. The couple gave Pope Benedict a picture and book about their ancestor, Cardinal Jerome Grimaldi, who lived in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The Holy Father gave the prince and princess a sanguigna, or red pencil drawing, of St. Peter’s Basilica.”

Afterward, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene  met with the Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, and the Secretary for Relations with States, Monsignor Dominique Mamberti.

And, if you are wondering why Princess Charlene was wearing white, again, per the Vatican Press Office, “… in accordance with prescribed ceremonial of the Vatican for Catholic sovereigns, the princess was allowed to dress in white…”