Pope Francis visits Luxembourg and Belgium

To mark the 600th anniversary of the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium, Pope Francis embarked on a three-day visit to Luxembourg and Belgium on September 26. The last time a Pope visited Belgium was under Pope John Paul II in 1995. Pope John Paul II's visit to Luxembourg dates back four decades. Under the motto “to serve” in Luxembourg and the theme “On the road full of hope” in Belgium, Pope Francis addressed the challenges facing the Church in the 21st century. In secular Luxembourg, he encouraged people to find confidence in their faith. In Belgium, the Pope's visit revealed ambivalence in the public's attitude: on the one hand, encouragement from the faithful - on the other, the deep-rooted tensions in society and the Catholic Church, or between the two, came to light. Sexual abuse, the role of women and the process of beatification for King Baudouin dominated the public debate and provoked massive criticism.