(ZENIT News / Bruxelles, 09.27.2024).- On Friday, September 27, Pope Francis embarked on a significant day in Belgium, characterized by a series of meetings that spanned from royal courtesy visits to heartfelt moments of solace with abuse victims. The day was a striking blend of formal diplomacy, academic exchange, and personal outreach, revealing the Pope’s commitment to dialogue, healing, and understanding.
A Royal Welcome at Laeken Castle
The day began with a visit to King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at the historic Laeken Castle. Arriving at 9:30 a.m., the Pope was greeted by an honor guard on horseback, an elegant prelude to his entry into the heart of Belgian royalty. After the customary photo session and the signing of the guest book, Pope Francis met privately with the King and Queen, a moment underscored by the exchange of symbolic gifts that embodied mutual respect between the Vatican and Belgium.
The meeting was more than a formal gesture; it was an opportunity to discuss shared concerns for the global community, with both leaders seeking common ground in their roles as moral and political figures. Following their private discussion, they moved to the grand hall to meet with key representatives from Belgium’s political, religious, and civil sectors.
Address to Belgian Civil Society
At 10:15 a.m., Pope Francis addressed a gathering of Belgium’s political authorities, business leaders, religious figures, and cultural influencers. After speeches by King Philippe and Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, the Pope took the podium to deliver his own message. His speech touched on themes of social justice, compassion, and the need for unity in a world increasingly divided by economic disparities and political tensions. The audience listened attentively as he called for solidarity and ethical leadership, especially in addressing global challenges such as climate change and the refugee crisis.
The encounter with Belgian authorities highlighted the Pope’s continued call for moral responsibility in leadership, urging a balance between power and empathy, governance and care for the vulnerable.
A Visit to the Marginalized: Pope’s Stop at Saint-Joseph Home
Before returning to the Apostolic Nunciature, Pope Francis made a significant detour to Home Saint-Joseph in Brussels, a care center for elderly people facing financial hardship. The home, run by the Little Sisters of Charity, embodies the Pope’s call to serve those on the margins of society. Here, the Pope spent time with residents, listening to their stories and offering words of comfort, reinforcing his commitment to the poor and the elderly—groups often forgotten in the rush of modern life.
This visit, while modest in scale, resonated deeply with the Pope’s broader message of inclusion and care for the most vulnerable. His presence at the home served as a reminder of the Church’s mission to extend its hand to those most in need.
Dialogue with Academia: A Thought-Provoking Afternoon at Leuven
In the afternoon, the Pope’s focus shifted to academia as he arrived at the prestigious Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. Greeted by university officials, including Rector Luc Sels, Pope Francis was introduced to the institution’s 600-year history, a testament to the enduring power of knowledge and education.
During the event, a poignant video was shown, highlighting the university’s work with refugees, followed by testimonials from refugees who had received support. The presentation was not merely informative but emotionally charged, touching on themes of displacement, hope, and resilience. Following this, a polyphonic choir performed a moving piece, creating an atmosphere of reflection and spiritual depth.
Pope Francis’s address to the university community underscored the Church’s longstanding relationship with education, emphasizing the need for learning that is not only intellectually rigorous but also rooted in compassion and ethical responsibility. He lauded the university’s work with refugees as a model for how academic institutions can contribute to solving the humanitarian crises of our time.
In a lighter moment, the Pope took a tour in a golf cart through the university grounds, greeting some 20,000 people gathered in Leuven’s main square, undeterred by the rain. His public appearance, marked by joy and humility, concluded with a visit to Grote Markt, where 5,000 eager onlookers stood in the rain, hoping to catch a glimpse of the pontiff.
A Somber Meeting with Abuse Victims
The tone of the day took a more somber turn upon Pope Francis’s return to the Nunciature, where he met with 17 individuals who had suffered abuse at the hands of clergy members in Belgium. This encounter, lasting over two hours, was deeply personal and emotional. The survivors shared their stories and the profound pain they had carried for years.
Listening intently, Pope Francis expressed both sorrow and shame for the actions of the Church that had led to their suffering. He acknowledged their bravery in coming forward and committed to taking their pleas for change seriously. The Pope’s response was not only one of empathy but also a commitment to accountability within the Church.
This meeting underscored the Pope’s ongoing efforts to address the wounds left by the abuse scandal and his personal dedication to ensuring that such atrocities are not repeated. It was a reminder of the Church’s responsibility to provide justice and healing to those it has wronged.
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