Pope ends Belgium visit with large mass
Published: 03:09 PM,Sep 29,2024 | EDITED : 07:09 PM,Sep 29,2024
Pope Francis takes to the tarmac in a wheelchair, flanked by Belgian Minister of Interior Annelies Verlinden (2nd L), as he prepares to board his return flight to Rome at Melsbroek air base, northeast of Brussels on September 29, 2024. The pope is on a four-day apostolic journey to Luxembourg and Belgium. (Photo by SIMON WOHLFAHRT / AFP)
BRUSSELS: Pope Francis presided over an open-air mass in Brussels on Sunday, capping a three-day visit to Belgium that grappled with past scandals and current debates over the role of women in the Catholic Church. Gathered in bright morning sunshine, about 40,000 faithful, some waving Belgian and Vatican flags, packed the King Baudouin stadium, north of the capital, for the ceremony.
The Argentine pontiff, 87, arrived shortly after 9:00 am, and toured the stadium in his Popemobile, cheered on by worshippers, including many young people and families. Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde were also in attendance.
During his stay, the pontiff was repeatedly questioned about the Catholic Church's dark legacy of child abuse, which casts a long shadow in Belgium. He met on Friday with 17 victims. Francis's visit, the first by a pope to Belgium since John Paul II in 1995, also highlighted the growing disconnect between the Vatican and some faithful in progressive, secular countries over issues such as gender inequality. — AFP
The Argentine pontiff, 87, arrived shortly after 9:00 am, and toured the stadium in his Popemobile, cheered on by worshippers, including many young people and families. Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde were also in attendance.
During his stay, the pontiff was repeatedly questioned about the Catholic Church's dark legacy of child abuse, which casts a long shadow in Belgium. He met on Friday with 17 victims. Francis's visit, the first by a pope to Belgium since John Paul II in 1995, also highlighted the growing disconnect between the Vatican and some faithful in progressive, secular countries over issues such as gender inequality. — AFP