The director of the Holy See Press Office, Bruni, presided over a press conference to present the details of Pope Francis’ 46th international pastoral visit to Luxembourg and Belgium. Bruni pointed out that the theme of the Pope’s visit is peace “at a time when Europe is afraid of being drawn into conflict again.”
(Vatican News)Pope Francis is about to embark on his 46th international pastoral visit, visiting Luxembourg and Belgium from September 26 to 29. He will speak on a variety of topics, including peace, immigration, climate change and the future of youth, while also focusing on many issues of the Church, such as Christianity in a secular society and the contribution of Catholic education. The latter refers to the Catholic University of Leuven, which was founded in 1425. One of the purposes of the Pope’s visit is to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the founding of the university.
Following in the footsteps of John Paul II
In presenting the apostolic visit, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Bruni, assured the Pope of his health. Although the Pope canceled the audience on Monday, September 23, because of “a slight flu”, Bruni pointed out that there are no changes in the travel and “everything is going according to the original plan”.
Bergoglio’s upcoming trip closely follows Pope John Paul II’s visit to the two countries in 1985, when he met with students and faculty of the Dutch- and French-speaking Catholic Universities of Louvain; these two meetings are now part of Pope Francis’ schedule.
Pope Francis will also beatify the Venerable Anna de Jesus at the King Baudouin Stadium. The new Blessed One presided over the affairs of the monastery in Brussels for 14 years. Similarly, Pope John Paul II beatified the great Belgian missionary Father Damien de Veuster in 1995 during his visit to Belgium: he paid the price with his life while ministering to lepers on the Hawaiian island of Molokai, regardless of his own safety.
Christian Witness in Europe
Before Saint Damian, many other saints and missionaries spread the seeds of Christianity in these lands, but today the number of Catholics there has declined.
Bruni said, “Secularization is an issue, but perhaps more important is the challenge of Christian witness in Europe. Europe today does not know Christianity as well as it did in the past, and is full of doubts about it; many doubts are not expressed, and the perception of this faith has declined.” Bruni further said, “For these situations, these groups have tried to make some responses. The Pope will give them encouragement.”
EU Institutions
In addition to local and neighboring Catholic groups, the pope also has messages for the two countries that host the headquarters of many EU institutions: Luxembourg, which mainly houses financial EU institutions, and Belgium, “where most of the EU’s administrative departments are located.”
These two countries are the focus of the world’s attention, and Pope Francis will visit them and “speak to the heart of Europe” about the role they will play in the world in the near future, in order to promote acceptance and solidarity among nations that have been victims of occupation and destruction and today suffer from current conflicts.
The core theme of peace
The pope will deliver seven speeches in Italian during this trip, with peace being one of the main themes. Bruni said the pope will review the history of these places in his speeches. After experiencing the pain of war, they once had a strong desire and actively worked to create conditions for peace, but now Europe is afraid that it will be dragged into conflict again. The pope will also talk about environmental issues that are being hotly discussed in Europe.
Social transformation
Intertwined with these themes is another theme concerning Catholic education and its role in the age of technological development. On September 27 and 28, the Pope will hold gatherings at the Dutch and French Catholic Universities of Louvain to offer his insights on “the message that Christianity can still convey to European culture.”
During the meeting with the faculty of the Catholic University of Leuven, a film about humanitarian assistance to refugees will be shown. This topic is very relevant and is a major social challenge in the transformation of Belgian society in recent years. Currently, there are many refugees in the country’s university institutions.
Possible meeting with assault victims
In response to questions from journalists, the press conference also raised the issue of sexual abuse by the clergy, especially the news released by the Belgian Bishops’ Conference that the Pope may meet with 15 victims. According to the bishops, six men and nine women will participate in the meeting, which is expected to take place in “absolute confidentiality” and the location and time will be announced later.
Bruni did not confirm the meeting, but said: “If a specific meeting took place, we would provide relevant information afterwards, subject to consensus with the victims.”
Regarding the case of Bishop Vangheluwe, who was convicted of child molestation and whose own nephew was also a victim, Bruni explained that the Pope “knows the pain, tragedy and suffering in Belgium and we can certainly expect words related to that”.
The press conference also provided other details of the four-day trip, which includes meetings with EU authorities and other institutions, as well as visits by the pope to young people, priests and religious.
Finally, speaking of the Pope’s entourage, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, will not be accompanying the Pope this time, as he is currently in New York to represent the Holy See at the 79th United Nations General Assembly. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, and Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, are in the entourage.
Link URL: www.vaticannews.cn
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