Pope Francis visits Belgium

Pope Francis is visiting Belgium from Thursday 26 September to Sunday 29 September 2024. 
During their visit to the Vatican in 2023, the Royal Couple invited the Pope to attend the celebrations for Leuven's catholic university's 600 year jubilee.

Some highlights on the royal agenda:

Thursday evening 26 September 2024

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde welcomed the Pope upon his arrival by plane at Melsbroek. The PM and Belgian bishops and the rectors of KU Leuven and UC Louvain were also present.

Children's choir sang "On écrit sur les murs" and "Amazing Grace". 

Friday 27 September 2024

In the morning Pope Francis was a guest at Laeken castle, where he addressed the official representatives of the government and civil society. 

As he returned to the Apostolic Nunciature in Brussels for lunch, Pope Francis stopped at Saint Joseph Care Home, a residence for elderly people facing economic difficulties run by the Little Sisters of Charity.

This is the care home where Princess Elisabeth worked as a volunteer when she was still living in Brussels. (you can read more about it here: https://queenmathilde.blogspot.com/2020/12/coming-up-christmas-eve-show.html )

Saturday 28 September 2024

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde and King Albert II joined Pope Francis for a moment of prayer in the royal crypt, at the grave of King Baudouin & Queen Fabiola. In 1990 King Baudouin famously refused to sign a Belgian law legalizing abortion, thus creating a major political crisis. The law was passed by the Government who declared the King "uncapacitated to reign" for three days. 

Hours after Vatican News published this picture, Court communicated this visit was the Pope's spontaneous wish, completely private and not part of the official program. "The King & Queen were present out of hospitality towards Pope Francis".

"Hunne Majesteit de Koning en de Koningin vergezelden Zijne Heiligheid de Paus deze ochtend voor een moment van bezinning in de Koninklijke Crypte. Dit spontane bezoek, op verzoek van de Paus, maakte geen deel uit van het officiële programma van zijn bezoek aan België en was strikt privé. De Koning en de Koningin waren aanwezig uit gastvrijheid tegenover de Paus."

It's clear King Philippe doesn't wish to open Pandora's box, especially since the Pope announced the following day he would start procedures for King Baudouin's beatification. The entire abortion law episode from 1990 is widely considered in Belgium as a unique case of goodwill towards Baudouin, one that won't happen a second time. On top of that discussions about the number of weeks a woman can be pregnant for an abortion to still be legal have been used in political negotiations these past few weeks. A delicate topic to say the least. Finally, Philippe & Mathilde, although very devout catholics, have worked hard to keep their religion completely private. 

On Sunday 29 September 2024 

The Royal Family attended mass at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels. 

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde were accompanied by Prince Gabriel (21) and Princess Eléonore (16).

King Philippe & Queen Mathilde were accompanied by Prince Gabriel (21) and Princess Eléonore (16).

Also present: King Albert II & Queen Paola, Princess Astrid & Prince Lorenz, Prince Laurent & Prince Claire with their children Louise, Aymeric and Nicolas, Princess Delphine and her husband Jim O'Hare with their children Josephine & Oscar O'Hare.