Pope Francis is expected to visit the Basilica of Koekelberg in Brussels in September, subject to his health.
In an interview with Mexican television station Nmas at the end of last year, the Pope revealed his desire to visit Belgium in recognition of the 600th anniversary of the Catholic University of Leuven. The plans have since become more concrete, including a visit to Brussels' iconic Basilica of Koekelberg, famed for its green dome.
"The exact dates of the Pope’s arrival are yet to be determined," said Martine Motteux-Abeloos, Director-General of the National Basilica of Koekelberg. However, the religious leader will certainly visit the Basilica in September.
Motteux-Abeloos predicts this will occur either during the weekends of 21-22 or 28-29 September, although this has not been confirmed yet.
However, the visit does depend on the Pope's health. The 87-year-old's recent bout with flu and bronchitis resulted in him being forced to cancel meetings for several days. But several media have since reported his health appears to be improved.
Preparation is still required both inside and outside the Basilica for the Pope’s visit. "The preparation for the visit requires a lot of work and generates nerves, but it is also an absolute experience for religious people," said Motteux-Abeloos.
Visit raising eyebrows
The last papal visit to Belgium was in 1995 when Pope John Paul II travelled there to beatify Father Damien, with his visit limited to Brussels. A decade before, in 1985, the same Pope carried out a more extensive tour of the country, including stops in Leuven, Namur, Beauraing, Antwerp, Banneux, Liège, and Mechelen.
The idea of a papal visit to Belgium now has provoked mixed reactions in the context of a Catholic Church embroiled in scandal especially following appalling revelations of the VRT documentary Godvergeten ('Godforsaken').
"As long as Rome remains quiet and does not actively sanction perpetrators and concealers of sexual abuse in the Belgian church, a visit by the Pope to our country is not desirable," Gwendolyn Rutten (Open VLD) stated in September. "Do something or stay away, that must be the unified message."
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open VLD) has repeatedly asked the Vatican to strip disgraced Belgian bishop Roger Vangheluwe of his title ahead of the visit.
Vangheluwe resigned from his post as bishop of Bruges in 2010 after confessing to abusing his underage cousin for years. De Croo stated the stripping was necessary to ensure the "smooth running" of the trip.
