“It is for myself, for Princess Charlène, for our family and for the entire Monegasque community, an immense honor, a great joy and a deep emotion to welcome you today, for this historic visit.” It was in these terms that Albert II addressed Leo XIV to welcome him during their meeting at the Prince’s Palace. “Historic – he continued in French from the balcony of the Palace – this moment is historic because of the place that it recognizes for Monaco within the Christian world, in this first year of Your pontificate. By the way in which it will mark each and every one of us. And by its inscription in the destiny of our Principality. A destiny shaped in the Catholic faith which for more than seven hundred years has guided our path, forged our identity and inspired our action, as evidenced by our motto: By God’s help».
«À the end of the 13e century, it was out of loyalty to the Pope that the first Grimaldi lords left Genoa, to settle on this rock,” recalled the sovereign, adding that at the beginning of the 16the century, Monegasque sovereignty was recognized by a Bull of Clement VII and, at the same time, by the two neighboring powers: France and the Empire of Charles V. Then, at the end of the 19the century, thanks to Leo XIII, the diocese of Monaco was created, and with it the religious autonomy of the Principality. “And in 1981— added Albert II — it was through Saint John Paul II that our bishopric was elevated to the rank of archdiocese, at the same time when my father, Prince Rainier III, strengthened our place on the international scene.”
“Our Constitution— the Prince further explained — while it ensures freedom of worship, recognizes Catholicism as the state religion. In a time of profound upheaval and spiritual dryness, our faith is our strength. It contributes, like the monarchy, to place Monaco in the permanent search for a balance between the imperatives of the present and the demands of the long term. This balance is not fixed. It is made up of conciliations and permanent developments. We seek them while keeping in mind Christian values and the demands they carry.”
On this subject, Albert II spoke of “a Principality which engages in many battles which are common to us. Among them, there is of course the fight for peace, this “Disarmed and disarming peace†to which You have called the world. At a time when armed conflicts resonate, where force seems to triumph, we know like you that peace can only be lasting if it is based on justice and oriented towards reconciliation (…) Because, like you, we also know that small states can contribute to the improvement of the world, on condition of being faithful to their values, and strong in their determination”.
The Prince also referred to the commitment “in favor of our Planet and all of Creation. Pope Francis – he declared – affirmed in the Encyclical Praised yes: the preservation of our “common home†is a universal requirement. It is a requirement of fraternity towards all our human brothers, current and future. It is a collective responsibility towards living things. And it is an imperative of solidarity, on the part of those who have the most means. This requirement cannot be dissociated from respect for human dignity, in all its dimensions. Protecting Creation means protecting man.”
Finally, the Sovereign concluded by affirming: “The history that we celebrate today, these more than seven hundred years of fidelity and faith that your presence strengthens, is only a step on the longer road that we will continue to follow in your footsteps: the road of hope and salvation, in fidelity to Christ.”
