Pope Leo XIV arrived Saturday in Monaco for a whirlwind visit to the tiny Catholic principality, a millionaires’ playground that is the surprise pick for the first western European trip of his papacy.

Arriving by helicopter from Rome, the pope was greeted by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene at Monaco’s heliport under radiant sunshine, an AFPTV journalist said.

The US-born pope, a former missionary critical of the wealthy elite, will start his trip at the Prince’s Palace, the official residence of the Grimaldi dynasty.

After a greeting from the balcony, he will go to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to meet the Catholic community, then to the square in front of the Church of Saint Devota, dedicated to the patron saint of Monaco.

The highlight will be an open-air mass at the Louis II Stadium, expected to be attended by 15,000 people.

Monaco is one of the few places in Europe where Catholicism remains the state religion, and it has long-standing diplomatic ties with the Holy See.

Though only around eight percent of citizens identify as practicing Catholics, church pews are one of the few places where billionaires, cleaning ladies and construction workers mingle.

AFP