© AFP
Pope Francis will “most likely, health permitting” visit the Koekelberg Basilica in Brussels after September 15. This is what ‘La Capitale’ writes and is confirmed by the basilica.
Source: BELGA
Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 8:44 PM
The precise dates for the pope’s arrival have not yet been determined, according to Martine Motteux-Abeloos, director general of the National Basilica of Koekelberg. It is certain that the spiritual leader will visit the basilica in September. Last year in December, the Vatican communicated that the Pope would visit Belgium in 2024 in the context of the 600th anniversary of the Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven).
If his health permits, the Pope will visit after mid-September, Motteux-Abeloos indicates. According to the director general, this will be either during the weekend of 21 and 22 or 28 and 29 September. “But that has not been confirmed yet.”
The current director general of the church factory was not present when Pope John Paul II visited the basilica in 1985 and 1995. It is the first time that she will see the prince in person. “Colleagues of mine did experience the arrival of Pope John Paul II. They are still enthusiastic about it today,” says Motteux-Abeloos.
In any case, there is still a lot of work to be done inside and outside the basilica to prepare for the pope’s visit. “Preparing the visit takes a lot of work and does involve some nerves, but it is also an absolute experience for religious people,” he said.