Pope Leo XIV. on Saturday in the opening speech of his visit to Monaco condemned the widening “gaps between the poor and the rich” a he called for social justice, which he also described as “social friendship”. This was reported by the AFP agency, writes TASR.
In a speech delivered in French after a meeting with Prince Albert II. and his wife Charlene the Pope drew attention to the need to channel wealth into the service of law and justice. He pointed out that the show of force and the logic of omnipotence are currently hurting the world and threatening peace.
At the same time, the Pope called on Monaco to realize its responsibility. He recalled that according to the Bible, “history is made by the little ones.” He also emphasized the importance of authentic spirituality, which supports openness and social ties in a time of growing isolation and individualism. He added that faith changes the world only if people accept their historical obligations.
According to Lev, Monaco society is a kind of “microcosm” with a large proportion of residents coming from other countries, many of whom hold important positions in the economy and finance. According to him, life in this country is a privilege for some of its inhabitants, but also a challenge to think about one’s place in the world.
The Pope described this unique position as a “talent” that carries with it responsibility. “Nothing should be taken for granted,” he emphasized with reference to the biblical parable about talents and called for the entrusted values to be developed and used for the benefit of the common good.
The Pope also stated that every property has a universal purpose, and therefore it is necessary not only to preserve it, but also to distribute it fairly in order to improve the lives of all. He described this approach as part of “integral ecology”, which includes not only the protection of nature, but also the balance of man and the quality of social relationsas developed by his predecessor in office, Pope Francis. In the end, the Pope also touched on the position of the Catholic Church in Monaco and recalled that this principality is one of the few countries where the Catholic faith is the state religion.
Prince Albert II. in his speech he emphasized the unique ties between Monaco and the Catholic Church. He stated that faith is the source of the principality’s strength and has shaped its identity for more than seven centuries. The newspaper Le Figaro calls it surprising that the Pope chose Monaco, which is known as the home of many millionaires, as the destination of his first Western European trip.
Leo XIV. he flew from Rome by helicopter to Monte Carlo, where he was welcomed by the princely family. To celebrate his arrival, bells were rung in all the temples. The highlight of the visit will be an open-air mass at the Ľudovít II Stadium.which is expected to be attended by approximately 15,000 believers. The Pope will return to the Vatican early Saturday evening.
