Pope Leo prepares for Monaco trip and first Easter as pontiff

Pope Leo heads to Monaco for a one-day visit to meet Prince Albert II and celebrate Mass, ahead of his first Easter as pontiff starting with Palm Sunday in St. Peter’s Square.

Reuters

26 March 2026 at 09:10:17

Pope Leo prepares for Monaco trip and first Easter as pontiff

Pope Leo XIV holds the weekly general audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican March 25, 2026.

Remo Casili/Reuters

Pope Leo will make a one-day visit to Monaco on Saturday (March 28), where he will meet Prince Albert II, celebrate Mass and address young people in one of the earliest foreign trips of his papacy.

The trip is expected to focus on key themes including the defense of life and human dignity, reflections on war and the neglect of vulnerable populations, alongside engagement with the local Catholic community.

Leo is then set to mark his first Easter as pontiff, with Holy Week beginning on Sunday (March 29) with Palm Sunday Mass in St Peter's Square. The celebrations will culminate in the "Urbi et Orbi" blessing on April 5.

-Production: Matteo Negri, Amy McConaghy, Natasha Montague, Oriana Boselli, Carla O'Connor, Chiara Rodriquez, Reim Nahaboo/Reuters