The Holy See Press Office publishes the plan for Pope Francis’ late September apostolic visit to the European countries of Belgium and Luxembourg on September 26-29, 2024.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
The Vatican released the program for Pope Francis’ apostolic visit to the European countries of Belgium and Luxembourg on Friday.
The visit will mark the Pope’s 46th apostolic visit, and will be a whirlwind four-nation trip across Asia and Oceania in early September.
According to recent statistics, about 12 million people in Belgium’s population, nearly half, identify as Catholic.
Similarly, in Luxembourg, Catholics make up 50 percent of the country.
During the Holy Father’s visit, he will celebrate Mass for the faithful of the nations and, as usual, meet with religious, authorities and personally with his Jesuit partners.
In Belgium, he will also meet with university professors from the Catholic University of Leuven on September 27, and the next day with students from the Université Catholique de Louvain.
Here is the full schedule of the Holy Father’s apostolic journey as provided by the Vatican.
Apostolic Visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Luxembourg and Belgium
26 – 29 September 2024
Thursday, 26 September 2024
Rome – Luxembourg – Brussels
08:05 Departure by flight from Rome/Fiumicino International Airport to Luxembourg
10:00 Arrival at Luxembourg/Findel International Airport
10:00 Welcome Ceremony
10:45 Courtesy visit to the Grand Duke of Luxembourg at the Grand Ducal Palace
11:15 Meeting with Prime Minister
11:50 Meeting with authorities, civil society and diplomatic corps at Cercle Cité (Holy Father’s address)
16:30 Meeting with the Catholic community at the Luxembourg Cathedral of Notre-Dame (address by the Holy Father)
17:45 Farewell ceremony at Luxembourg/Findel International Airport
18:15 Departure by flight from Luxembourg/Findel International Airport to Brussels
19:10 Arrival at Melsbroek Air Base
19:10 Welcome Ceremony
Friday, 27 September 2024
Brussels – Leuven
09:15 Courtesy visit to Belgian Monarchs at Lecon Castle
09:45 Meeting with Prime Minister
10:00 Meeting with authorities and civil society (Holy Father’s address)
16:30 Meeting with university professors at the Catholic University of Leuven (Holy Father’s address)
Saturday, 28 September 2024
Brussels – Louvain-la-Neuve
10:00 Meeting with bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons, seminarians and pastoral workers in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Kogelberg (Holy Father’s address)
16:30 Meeting with university students at the Alle Magna of the Université Catholique de Louvain (address by the Holy Father)
18:15 Private meeting with members of the Society of Jesus at St. Michael’s College
Sunday, 29 September 2024
Brussels – Rome
10:00 Holy Mass (Homily of the Holy Father) at King Baudouin Stadium (Angelus)
12:15 Farewell ceremony at Melsbroek air base
12:45 Departure by flight from Melsbroek Airport to Rome
14:55 Arrival at Rome/Fiumicino International Airport