Pope Francis concluded his visit to Belgium with a Mass to beatify a 17th-century mystic after emphasizing his traditional beliefs on women and abortion, despite disappointing some at one of Europe’s prominent Catholic universities. The Mass took place in Brussels’ King Baudouin Stadium, named after a king praised by Francis for his stand against abortion legislation. The Pope’s visit stirred mixed reactions in a country with a diminishing Catholic presence, with many young people turning away from the faith.
Despite unrest among Belgium’s secularized populace, nearly 37,000 people attended the Mass at the stadium, where Pope Francis was warmly welcomed as he arrived in his popemobile. The beatification of Spanish nun Ana de Jesus was the highlight of the Mass, with the Vatican venerating her as a symbol of faith restoration during times of crisis.
While in Belgium, Pope Francis faced challenges related to the country’s history of clerical sexual abuse and the declining influence of the Church. The visit was intended to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the Leuven/Louvain Catholic University, where calls for reform within the Church were expressed, particularly concerning the role of women and the acceptance of LGBTQ+ Catholics.
The Pope faced criticism from students and faculty at the university for his views on women and failure to address gender inequality within the Church. Despite some reforms during his pontificate, such as allowing women to serve as acolytes and giving them a vote in synods, Pope Francis continues to uphold the ban on women becoming priests.
During his visit, Pope Francis stressed the importance of the church returning to its Gospel roots to address the challenges posed by a society moving away from faith. The Pope’s stance on controversial issues like women’s roles within the Church has sparked debates and calls for reform, highlighting the ongoing tension between tradition and modernity in the Catholic Church.
