End of Pope Francis’ visit to Belgium on Sunday September 29. The sovereign pontiff celebrated a mass in the morning in Brussels, in front of more than 35,000 people gathered at the King Baudoin stadium, which marks the final stage of his trip. He notably called for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and the denunciation of sexual abuse within the Church.
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With our correspondent in Brussels, Laura Broulard
Under the applause, Pope sends message of peace to the Middle East. “ Too many people continue to die day after day “, he declared to applause. In the stands, Joëlle, of Lebanese origin, has tears in her eyes. His family waves the flag of the country of cedar.
“ We are here to pray and above all for peace. And I’m happy that the Pope thought of us. He said this in his speech. I am also happy that there were many Lebanese who participated “, she rejoices.
Calls to denounce and judge the attackers
The faithful also waved Brazilian, Dutch and Congolese flags, but the crowd was mainly in the colors of Belgium. Many young Belgians made the trip to see the Pope for the first time. “ I am very happy to be here. Yes, I think it is important that he comes, in particular to restore hope and light the flame of the Belgian faith, which had perhaps been extinguished », Testifies Ariana.
Faced with sexual abuse scandals who have shaken the Church in recent years, Pope Francis has called for the aggressors to be denounced and judged. “ It would have been very annoying if he had not said this here. It’s very important that he said it, because otherwise he was covering it up. So, I find it normal and magnificent that he did it », assures Kai de Ten, a 75-year-old Brussels resident.
In recent days, the sovereign pontiff has also been questioned about the place of women and LGBT+ people in the Church.
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