Pope Leo to visit The Republic of San Marino & then Rimini, Italy

Pope Leo XIV will make a pastoral visit to the Republic of San Marino on Saturday, 22 August 2026, as part of his broader trip to the northern Italian city of Rimini Vatican+1.
Purpose and Timing

The visit, announced by the Prefecture of the Papal Household on 28 May 2026, will take place in the morning of 22 August. The Holy Father is accepting the invitation of the then Captains Regent of San Marino, Matteo Rossi and Lorenzo Bugli, who had invited him to the small sovereign state Vatican+1. The visit will last only half a day, after which he will travel about 14 miles northeast to Rimini EWTN News+1.
Context and Significance

San Marino is the world’s oldest constitutional republic, founded in 301 AD and still independent today. It is a landlocked microstate within Italy, with a population of just under 34,000. This will be Pope Leo XIV’s second visit to a European microstate after Monaco in March 2026 zenit.org. The only previous papal visit was by Saint John Paul II in 1982.
Afternoon Activities

Following the San Marino visit, Pope Leo XIV will participate in pastoral and cultural events in the Diocese of Rimini and the Rimini Meeting, a major cultural and religious gathering promoted by the Catholic movement Communion and Liberation EWTN News+1.
Summary

Date: Saturday, 22 August 2026

Location: Republic of San Marino (morning), then Rimini, Italy (afternoon)

Reason: Pastoral visit at invitation of Captains Regent Matteo Rossi and Lorenzo Bugli

Duration: Half-day in San Marino

Follow-up: Rimini Meeting and diocesan activities Vatican+3