Some 4,000 people are expected to gather in the car park of the Aula Magna theatre in Louvain-la-Neuve on Saturday 28 September in the hopes of catching a glimpse of Pope Francis.
The Pope's visit marks the 600th anniversary of UCLouvain, founded in 1425. Inside the theatre, around 800 people will attend a discussion between the head of Catholic Church and the university community, as specified by UCLouvain officials during a press conference on Monday.
In addition to the press, the 800 seats inside the Louvain-la-Neuve theatre will gather the wider university community, including students, researchers, doctoral students and professors. The proceedings will be filmed and broadcast live on the university's website and national television channels.
Outside the building, around 4,000 of those having pre-registered with either the university or the city will be able to see the Pope from the car park when he makes an appearance on the theatre's balcony at the back of the Aula Magna.
Event coordinator Thierry Zintz indicated that the city's Grand Place, particular access routes, and the area around the Aula Magna would be heavily monitored. However, the city's car parks will remain open as usual and some underground traffic will still be possible.
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The Pope, who is expected to speak for around 20 minutes, will discuss five themes: eco-anxiety, the philosophical roots of social and environmental crises, social inequality, the role of women, and the role of abstinence and solidarity. He will also sign the university's visitors' book during his visit.
Pope Francis will be in Belgium from 26 to 29 September. In addition to his visit to UCLouvain, the head of the Catholic Church will also be visiting KULeuven on Friday 27 September. He will conclude his visit of Belgium with a Eucharist at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Sunday 29 September.
