VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Leo XIV will travel on Saturday (March 28) from Vatican City, the world’s smallest country, to Monaco, the second smallest — linking two Catholic states whose global influence far exceeds their size.
In a one-day trip totaling nine hours, Leo will become the first pope in the modern era to visit Monaco. While the country is often associated with wealth and luxury, the papal visit is expected to highlight themes of peace, multilateralism and ecology.
“This trip will offer the pope an opportunity to reflect on the role of Europe,” said Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni while meeting with Vatican journalists on Wednesday. Leo will address “the responsible use of wealth and influence” at a time when Europe and the rest of the world are faced by war, polarization and conflict, Bruni said.
“It’s a small country, and small countries can have a great role and open a big horizon in light of the problems of the world,” he added.
Extending just over 0.81 square miles and with a population of about 38,000 people, Monaco exerts an outsized influence in Europe and the world. The per-capita gross domestic product exceeds $240,000, and its residents — of whom 30% are millionaires …