The director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, provides particulars of Pope Francis' forty sixth Apostolic Journey overseas, which takes him to Luxembourg and Belgium, saying the visit bears the theme of peace “at a time when the continent risks being pulled into conflict again.”
By Salvatore Cernuzio
Pope Francis will quickly embark on a brand new worldwide journey, the forty sixth of his hold forth, when he travels to Luxembourg and Belgium on September 26-29.
He will deal with a bunch of themes, together with peace, migration, the local weather emergency, and the longer term for younger individuals, whereas focusing on Church points, together with the function of Christianity in societies marked by secularisation, and the contribution of Christian training.
The Catholic University of Louvain, based in 1425, is marking its 600th anniversary, and this anniversary is without doubt one of the causes for the papal journey.
In the footsteps of John Paul II
Offering particulars in regards to the Apostolic Journey, Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, gave reassurances concerning the Pope's well being, since he cancelled his scheduled audiences on Monday due to “a mild flu-like condition.” Mr. Bruni added there aren't any updates and that, “for the moment everything remains exactly as planned.”
The upcoming visit additionally follows within the footsteps of Pope John Paul II's visits to the 2 international locations in 1985, when he met with the scholars of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and the educational neighborhood of the Université Catholique de Louvain.
These two occasions are additionally a part of Pope Francis' programme. His visit additionally features a beatification throughout Mass on the King Baudouin Stadium of Venerable Anna de Jesus, who led the monastery in Brussels for fourteen years.
Pope John Paul II additionally celebrated a beatification in Belgium in 1995, that of Saint Damien de Veuster, referred to as Damien of Molokai, an amazing Belgian missionary who died among the many lepers of Hawaii whom he had served at the price of his personal life.
Christian witness in Europe
Before him, many different saints and missionaries sowed the seeds of Christianity over the centuries in these lands, the place at this time there are about 8,400 Catholics in Belgium and fewer than 300 in Luxembourg.
“Secularisation is an issue, but more so perhaps is the challenge of Christian witness in a Europe where Christianity is less known than in the past, full of questions, many unexpressed, with a perception of decline,” Mr. Bruni added. “There are already attempts to respond to these matters within these communities that will be encouraged by the Pope.”
European establishments
In addition to the Catholic communities, additionally from neighbouring international locations, the Pope will take his message to two international locations that host “the heaquarters of various European institutions, especially of a financial nature” (Luxembourg) and “the seat of a large part of the EU administration” (Belgium).
The locations are “a part of the world that others look to” that Pope Francis will visit and his phrases will probably be “spoken to the heart of Europe” and “the role it wants to play in the world in the near future” for welcome and solidarity between nations, noting some nations have been “victims” of occupation and destruction and at this time undergo from ongoing conflicts.
The logos for the visit to Luxembourg and Belgium
Central theme of peace
Peace will probably be one of many fundamental themes of the seven speeches, all of which will probably be delivered in Italian.
Mr. Bruni stated the themes he'll deal with recall the historical past of these lands which have strongly desired and labored to create situations for peace after the struggling endured throughout the conflict, at a time when the continent dangers being dragged into battle as soon as once more. The Pope can even deal with environmental points the continent is debating.
Transformation of society
Interwoven with these themes is that of Catholic training and its function in an age of technological development. The two conferences on the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and the Université Catholique de Louvain (27 and 28 September, respectively) will present a chance for the Pope to supply ideas on “what Christianity still has to say to European culture.”
During the assembly with the professors of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, a video on humanitarian help to refugees will probably be proven. The theme may be very present and a problem for society in view of the transformation Belgian society has undergone lately, additionally with the presence of refugees in college establishments.
Possible assembly with abuse victims
The difficulty of sexual abuse by clergy additionally got here up throughout the briefing when the journalists requested a couple of questions, particularly concerning information given by the Belgian Bishops’ Conference a few potential assembly of the Pope with 15 victims: six males and 9 ladies.
The assembly is scheduled to happen “with complete discretion” at a spot and date that can solely be revealed later, the Bishops stated.
Mr. Bruni didn't give affirmation about this assembly, however stated, “If there is a specific meeting, in agreement with the victims, we will provide information on it later.”
Regarding Bishop Vangheluwe, responsible of kid abuse, together with a nephew, Mr. Bruni defined that the Pope is “aware of the pain, drama, and suffering in Belgium, and we can certainly expect references to this.”
In conclusion, different particulars of the four-day visit have been touched upon, together with conferences with EU authorities and associated establishments.
Coupled with this will probably be a number of visits with youth, monks, and spiritual. Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin is presently in New York representing the Holy See on the 79th UN General Assembly, and won't be current on the journey.
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, and Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, will probably be in attendance.
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