Pope Laments Widening Gap Between Rich And Poor

PopePope Leo XIV on Saturday criticised widening global inequality especially ‘between the have and the have not’ as he began his first Western European trip with a visit to Monaco, a wealthy principality often associated with affluence.

The pontiff, who arrived by helicopter from Rome, was received at Monte Carlo’s heliport by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene under bright sunshine.

Speaking shortly after his arrival, the pope condemned what he described as widening “chasms between the poor and the rich,” warning against systemic inequality. Addressing dignitaries in French from the Prince’s Palace balcony, he denounced “unjust configurations of power, structures of sin that dig chasms between poor and rich, between the privileged and the rejected.”

He further urged that wealth must be used in service of “law and justice, especially at a historical moment when displays of force and the logic of omnipotence wound the world and jeopardise peace,” in what appeared to be a reference to ongoing global conflicts.

The visit drew enthusiastic crowds across the principality, with church bells ringing to mark the pope’s arrival. Residents lined the streets waving Monaco’s red-and-white flags alongside the Vatican’s yellow-and-white colours, as the pontiff travelled through key routes including Rue Grimaldi.

“I’m trembling – it’s so emotional, and I’m so proud,” said Alix Pearce, a resident who joined others outside the palace to witness the historic occasion.

The pope’s itinerary includes meetings with the Catholic community at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and a public appearance at the Church of Saint Devota, dedicated to Monaco’s patron saint. The highlight of the visit is expected to be an open-air mass at the Louis II Stadium, where about 15,000 people are anticipated.

Local voices reflected the broader significance of the visit. “The pope brings people together,” said Eric Battaglia, a Monegasque artist. “In a world that has been at war for the past few years, it’s a blessing that there are people like him, trying to ensure that people remain human.”

According to Matteo Bruni, the pope’s speeches during the trip will also focus on environmental protection, Monaco’s place in Europe, and “the protection of life in all its forms,” a phrase encompassing both moral teachings and opposition to global conflict.

Despite Monaco’s reputation as a haven for wealth, the Catholic Church remains a unifying space where people of different social classes converge. Though only a small percentage of citizens are practising Catholics, the principality maintains strong ties with the Vatican and recognises Catholicism as the state religion.

Describing the visit as significant, Prince Albert II said it highlights Monaco’s role in the Catholic world and reinforces shared priorities such as international solidarity and peace.

For some residents, the visit carries symbolic weight. “It’s historic: the two smallest states in the world coming together to spread a message of peace, light and love,” said local business owner Isabel Fissore.