2024-09-27 02:43:32
Pope Francis arrived in Brussels this evening for an upcoming three-day visit to Belgium. The Holy Father’s plane landed minutes after 7:00 p.m. and soon after a brief storm with strong winds, heavy rain and lightning passed over the city.
At the military part of the airport in the Belgian capital, the Pope was met by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, outgoing Prime Minister Alexander de Croix, other representatives of the government, the Catholic Church and the country’s diplomatic corps. The Holy Father flew in from Luxembourg, where he was on a visit of several hours earlier today.
On his arrival in Brussels, the Pope looked happy, especially as he listened to the children’s choir, which made a surprise appearance on the concrete platform next to the plane. The Pope shook the hand of each of the children in the mixed choir, and then drove off in a white “Fiat 500” with the coat of arms of the Vatican, sitting in the front seat next to the driver, writes BTA.
On Sunday, the Pope will celebrate Mass at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, where 39,000 guests are expected. Pope Francis’ trip is the first visit to Belgium by a head of the Roman Catholic Church in 30 years. A survey cited in local media in recent days showed that 43 percent of Belgian citizens identify as Catholic Christians.