Seventeen-year-old operatic singer Monroe will perform before Pope Leo XIV at the Stade de France during a major gathering of young Catholics in September 2026.
The performance is scheduled as part of an official four-day apostolic visit by the Pontiff to France, taking place from September 25 to September 28.
Monroe, who represented France at the Eurovision Song Contest in May 2026, will sing for the head of the Catholic Church and thousands of worshippers attending the large youth vigil at the national stadium in Saint-Denis, located just north of Paris.
The Stade de France, built for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, is the largest stadium in France with a seating capacity exceeding 80,000. It regularly hosts major international sporting events, stadium concert tours, and large national gatherings.
The papal visit will be conducted under the official motto "that the world may have life." Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to make several key stops across the country during his four-day tour, including events in Paris, Saint-Denis, Lourdes, and Metz.
Before arriving at the Stade de France for the evening youth vigil, Pope Leo XIV will visit Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris. Following his engagements in the capital area, his itinerary includes a trip to Lourdes, a major Marian pilgrimage site in southwestern France, and Metz in the Grand Est region.
Papal vigil performance and song choice
For the teenage singer, performing in front of the Pope marks the realization of a personal dream. Speaking to the French Christian radio network RCF several weeks before representing France at Eurovision, Monroe shared that she dreamed of singing before the Pontiff.
Her wish was granted when church authorities selected her to perform at the papal event. Speaking to the morning news programme Télématin on public channel France 2, Monroe revealed that she plans to perform the sacred hymn Ave Maria during the stadium vigil.
Monroe explained to reporters that her musical journey began in church, where she first started singing and learned to appreciate music. She said that growing up singing in church environments established her initial love for performing and musical expression.
She expressed great enthusiasm about the upcoming event, stating that she is eager to perform before the Pontiff with the experience she has acquired so far. Monroe added that singing in such a unique environment would allow her to grow musically and learn how to adapt her operatic voice to massive stadium venues.
Eurovision 2026 campaign in Vienna
Monroe gained widespread recognition across Europe in May 2026 when she represented France at the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, held in Vienna, Austria. Performing her song Regarde, which highlighted her powerful operatic vocal range, she finished in eleventh place in the grand final.
Heading into the competition, Monroe had been listed among the top five favourites by bookmakers, raising high hopes for the French delegation. Although her eleventh-place finish somewhat dampened those initial expectations, the singer said she was very proud of her performance on the international stage.
By competing in Vienna at the age of 17, Monroe became the youngest artist ever to represent France in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest, which has been held annually since 1956. France is one of the five automatic qualifiers for the contest's grand final each year.
Early life and musical background
Before her Eurovision entry, Monroe was first brought to public attention through her appearance on Prodiges, a classical music talent show broadcast on France 2 that showcases young classical singers, instrumentalists, and ballet dancers.
Her musical development began across the Atlantic in the United States, where she cultivated an early passion for playing the piano. Born to a French mother of Democratic Republic of the Congo heritage and an American father, Monroe spent her youth connected to both French and American cultures.
Drawing on her multicultural background, she previously recorded and released a music album split between France and the United States, combining classical vocal techniques with contemporary arrangements.
Upcoming autumn concert in Toulouse
Alongside her upcoming appearance before Pope Leo XIV at the Stade de France, Monroe is preparing for further live performances across France later this year.
Organisers have announced that the young operatic star will perform an exceptional concert inside a church in the southern French city of Toulouse this coming autumn.
Toulouse, the capital of France's southern Occitanie region, is renowned for its historic brick architecture and rich musical traditions. Performing in sacred acoustic spaces continues a central theme of Monroe's artistic career as she transitions from Eurovision to classical and religious stage appearances.
