Pope Francis Prays at Basilica of St. Mary Major Before Apostolic Journey to Luxembourg and Belgium
As Pope Francis prepares for his 46th Apostolic Journey abroad to Luxembourg and Belgium, he made a customary visit to the Basilica of St. Mary Major on Wednesday evening. The purpose of his visit was to entrust his upcoming journey to Our Lady, pausing to pray at the ancient icon of ‘Maria Salus Populi Romani’ before returning to the Vatican.
The Holy See Press Office reported that the Pope will depart on Thursday for Luxembourg, where he will spend the day. Later that evening, he will fly to Brussels for a three-day visit to meet with the people of Belgium.
Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin stated that Pope Francis aims to bring the foresight of solidarity and the courage to embrace the future during his visit. One significant reason for the journey is to honor the 600th anniversary of the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium.
Speaking to Vatican News, Cardinal Parolin highlighted the Pope’s message for Europe to rediscover its foundational values rooted in Christianity. As the European Union faces various crises, including the conflict in Ukraine, the Holy See hopes to facilitate a connection between the past and future to overcome challenges.
Cardinal Parolin emphasized that Pope Francis’ visit to Luxembourg and Belgium offers an opportunity for deeper reflection on the Church’s role in Europe and encourages individuals to align their actions with the teachings of the Gospel.
