The strongest version of this narrative presents Pope Leo XIV’s visit as a strategic moment for both Monaco and the Vatican. Monaco, a small but wealthy and influential state, is positioned as a moral actor on the global stage, leveraging its visibility to address issues like economic inequality. The Vatican, meanwhile, uses the visit to reinforce its relevance in a secularizing Europe, framing Catholicism as a force for justice and peace. The narrative credits the pope with a clear message—weal...