Pontiff's Unexpected Return to Monaco After 488 Years
Pope Leo's first European trip as pontiff will take him to the small, wealthy, and deeply Catholic state of Monaco - a surprising choice that has baffled some Vatican observers.
Nearly five centuries after the last papal visit, Pope Leo is set to travel to the principality of Monaco this Saturday, marking his first European trip since being elected as the new pontiff. The decision to choose this small, wealthy, and deeply Catholic state has caught many Vatican observers off guard, leaving them to ponder the reasons behind this unexpected destination.
Monaco, famous for its glamorous casinos and opulent superyachts, is an unlikely choice for a papal visit. The last time the Vatican sent a pontiff to the principality was in 1538, when Pope Paul III graced the tiny nation with his presence. Now, nearly 500 years later, Pope Leo will once again make the journey, departing the Vatican by helicopter and being welcomed at the heliport by Prince Albert and his wife, Princess Charlene.
Source: The Guardian
