Why the Pope arrived in Monaco by helicopter for historic visit

Pope Leo XIV conducted a historic visit to Monaco on Saturday (March 28), arriving via helicopter to spend the day in the principality.

He became the first pope to visit Monaco since Paul III in 1538, close to 500 years ago.

He gave a sermon from the balcony of the royal palace asking residents to use their power for good, “especially at a historical moment when the display of power and the logic of oppression are harming the world and jeopardising peace” and held a mass at the Stade-Louis II.

He also called for Monaco’s Catholic residents to continue to spread their faith “so that the life of every man and woman may be defended and promoted from conception until natural death.” 

Pope arrived by helicopter

The pope arrived by helicopter, coming directly from Rome with the choice of transportation used to avoid a diplomatic headache for the pontiff and French officials.

Use of any other form of transportation would have required the pope to land first in France, probably at Nice airport before heading to Monaco.

Vatican protocol requires an official delegation to meet with the pope when he arrives in a country.

As the new pope is yet to officially visit France – Pope Francis conducted the most recent visit, heading to Marseille in an unofficial capacity in 2023 – arriving only to immediately leave could be viewed as a snub from the pontiff, realistically requiring him to spend some time in the country. 

Likewise, a French failure to officially greet the pope could be viewed as equally undiplomatic.

Monaco is one of the few countries in the world where, like The Vatican, Catholicism remains the state religion and deeply entwined with the country’s values.