Prince Albert II of Monaco has extended his congratulations to Pope Leo XIV following the historic election of the first American pope. In an official communiqué to the Vatican, the Prince offered his prayers and support, highlighting the spiritual and universal weight of the new pontiff’s role.
The message was sent shortly after Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago was elected to the papacy on 8th May, becoming the 267th pope and taking the name Leo XIV. The 69-year-old Augustinian previously served as a missionary in Peru and held a senior role within the Vatican overseeing bishop appointments.
Prince Albert’s message conveyed both personal and national sentiments. “My family and I offer our fervent prayers for the greatness of His Pontificate,” he wrote, adding, “Together with the population of the Principality, we express our most respectful hope that the fulfilment of this eminent and weighty spiritual mission of universal scope will be marked by many satisfactions.” The letter concluded with a personal note: “I ask Your Holiness to kindly accept the respectful homage of my deep and filial attachment.”
Pope Leo XIV made his first appearance from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica with a message of peace and unity. His choice of name is seen as a tribute to Pope Leo XIII, known for his emphasis on social justice and his role in modernising the Church’s engagement with the world.
While not a large state, Monaco maintains a historically close relationship with the Holy See. Roman Catholicism is the state religion, and official messages of congratulations have long been a tradition from the Princely Family upon the election of a new pope.
As the first pontiff from the United States, and with extensive experience in Latin America, Pope Leo XIV is expected to bring a global, pastoral perspective to the Vatican at a time of considerable challenges and change for the Catholic Church.
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Photo of Pope Leo XIV source Reuters