The logos for the visit to Luxembourg and Belgium
Central theme of peace
Peace will be one of the main themes of the seven speeches, all of which will be delivered in Italian.
Mr. Bruni said the themes he will address recall the history of those lands that have strongly desired and worked to create conditions for peace after the suffering endured during the war, at a time when the continent risks being dragged into conflict once again. The Pope will also address environmental issues the continent is debating.
Transformation of society
Interwoven with these themes is that of Catholic education and its role in an age of technological growth. The two meetings at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and the Université Catholique de Louvain (27 and 28 September, respectively) will provide an opportunity for the Pope to offer thoughts on “what Christianity still has to say to European culture.”
During the meeting with the professors of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, a video on humanitarian assistance to refugees will be shown. The theme is very current and a challenge for society in view of the transformation Belgian society has undergone in recent years, also with the presence of refugees in university institutions.
Roger Vangheluwe, the 87-year-old former bishop of Bruges, has been dismissed from the clerical state after being found guilty of abuse of a minor. Pope Francis approved the …
Possible meeting with abuse victims
The issue of sexual abuse by clergy also came up during the briefing when the journalists asked a few questions, especially regarding news given by the Belgian Bishops’ Conference about a possible meeting of the Pope with 15 victims: six men and nine women.
The meeting is scheduled to take place “with complete discretion” at a place and date that will only be revealed later, the Bishops said.
Mr. Bruni did not give confirmation about this meeting, but said, “If there is a specific meeting, in agreement with the victims, we will provide information on it later.”
Regarding Bishop Vangheluwe, guilty of child abuse, including a nephew, Mr. Bruni explained that the Pope is “aware of the pain, drama, and suffering in Belgium, and we can certainly expect references to this.”
In conclusion, other details of the four-day visit were touched upon, including meetings with EU authorities and related institutions.
Coupled with this will be several visits with youth, priests, and religious. Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin is currently in New York representing the Holy See at the 79th UN General Assembly, and will not be present 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 be in attendance.
Source link : https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-09/pope-francis-to-travel-to-luxembourg-and-belgium.html
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Publish date : 2024-09-23 07:00:00
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