Pope Francis concluded a challenging visit to Belgium on Sunday with a Mass to beatify a 17th-century mystic, amid controversy over his traditional views on women and abortion. The Pontiff celebrated the Mass under clear skies at Brussels’ sports stadium, dedicated to King Baudouin, who abstained from ruling for a day in 1990 instead of endorsing a bill legalizing abortion. Despite tension over his statements, the near 37,000-capacity stadium was overwhelmingly filled for the event, with attendees cheering as Francis arrived in his popemobile and interacted with the crowd.
The Mass honoured Spanish nun Ana de Jesus, renowned for her vow of chastity and contributions to the reformation of the Carmelite order alongside St. Teresa of Avila. The Vatican sees her as an inspirational figure who led people back to faith during challenging times. The visit also aimed to commemorate the 600th anniversary of Leuven/Louvain Catholic University, a key institution in Belgium, where calls for church reforms echoed loudly. Rector Luc Sels highlighted the need for the church to embrace change, promote gender equality and inclusivity for LGBTQ+ individuals to regain societal credibility.
While in Belgium, students at the university expressed discontent with Francis’ views on women during a discussion on his environmental encyclical. They raised concerns about the document’s lack of female representation and called for a paradigm shift in the church’s treatment of women. Despite Francis acknowledging the students’ sentiments, concerns remain over the church’s stance on issues like female priesthood and leadership roles. His comments faced criticism from the university, which denounced his views as reductionist and rigid.
The dialogue between Francis and Belgian clergy and nuns also touched on the diminishing faith in society and the necessity to reconnect with gospel principles. The Pontiff stressed the importance of not prioritizing superficial reforms but focusing on delivering the Gospel to a society drifting away from faith. The trip highlighted the division between the younger generation’s aspirations for a more progressive church and the Vatican’s current doctrinal positions. The 87-year-old Pope has made incremental changes regarding women’s roles in the church but remains firm on certain issues like female priesthood.
Francis’ visit to Belgium sheds light on the ongoing debate within the Catholic Church about inclusivity, gender equality, and modernisation. As he concluded his visit, the Pope left behind a divided Belgian Catholic community grappling with the tension between tradition and calls for reform. The challenges faced during this trip underscore the complexities of balancing age-old doctrines with the evolving expectations of the contemporary world.