Pope Francis arrives in Belgium
Vatican news
Pope Francis is in Belgium at the start of a three-day apostolic visit rich in events and meetings.
By Vatican News
A 55-minute flight from Luxembourg brought Pope Francis to Melsbroek Air Base in Brussels on Thursday evening, kicking off the second leg of his 46th Apostolic journey abroad.
The first to welcome him to the country were the apostolic nuncio to Belgium, Mgr Franco Coppola, and the Belgian ambassador to the Holy See, Patrick Renault, who boarded the papal plane shortly after the landing.
Waiting for the Pope on the tarmac were the Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels, Mechelen-Brussels, Luc Terlinden and a delegation of religious and civil authorities.
He was greeted by the guard of honor and a military band who played the national anthems of the Vatican and Belgium. A children’s choir also sang songs of welcome for the Holy Father.
The last pope to visit Belgium was Pope Saint John II in 1995.
After a brief welcome ceremony, Pope Francis goes to the Apostolic Nunciature where he will reside during his stay in Belgium.
On Friday morning, he will pay a courtesy visit to King Léopold Lodewijk Maria and Queen Mathilde d’Udekem d’Acoz at Laeken Castle before meeting the authorities and representatives of civil society during which he will deliver his first official speech in the country.
One of the highlights of this visit is the 600th anniversary of the founding of the Catholic University of Louvain, home to one of the most important theology faculties in the world. On Sunday September 29, the last day of the visit, the Pope will celebrate mass at the Brussels Stadium where more than 35,000 faithful are expected.
Thursday, September 26 marks the first day of Pope Francis’ 46th birthday.th Apostolic journey abroad taking him to Luxembourg and Belgium.
Vatican news
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