Leading mass in a packed Roi Baudouin Stadium on Sunday morning, Pope Francis called for bishops to condemn those who commit abuses, and not to help cover up wrongdoing.
The Pope called on everyone to "not cover up abuses" and to condemn perpetrators to "heal from this disease of abuse," referring to sexual violence within the Church.
"I ask the bishops: do not cover up abuses, condemn those who abuse," he stated. The pontiff highlighted the need for transparency and courage in addressing these issues.
"It's important to expose the abuses and speak out against those who commit them," he emphasised.
"Abusers must be judged, whether they are laypeople, priests, or bishops," he added.
Pope Francis arrives for a holy mass at the Roi Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Sunday 29 September 2024. Credit: Belga
A crowd of around 37,500 gathered in Brussels on Sunday morning, to attend a mass in Roi Baudouin Stadium led by the Pope.
Attendants were undeterred by the September morning chill with crowds gathering outside all entrances to the stadium by 07:30 this morning.
People queue for a holy Mass at the Roi Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Sunday 29 September 2024. in universities. Credit: Belga
Before the break of day, many gathered at the main Brussels railway stations, walking through the corridors and heading towards the metro.
Line 6, leading to the stadium, resembled a match day but with no red colours of the Red Devils and far too early for a football game, yet the metro carriages were packed.
People eagerly await the start of a holy Mass at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Sunday 29 September 2024. Credit: Belga
“I don’t have a ticket, but I wanted to be near the stadium,” said Martine, anxious not to miss the event and disappointed at not having secured the precious pass.
The excitement was tangible as worshippers made their way through the stadium aisles, with the sight of different flags and the sound of many foreign languages indicating that the crowd had come from far and wide.
Brussels City mayor Philippe Close and Federal Minister Annelies Verlinden attend a holy Mass at the Roi Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Sunday 29 September 2024. Credit: Belga
By 09:00, the area around the stadium had thinned out considerably, with only one guest missing: Pope Francis, awaited eagerly by the faithful.
The Mass in Roi Baudouin Stadium is the culmination of a four day visit by the Pope to Belgium, at the invitation of the Catholic universities of UC Louvain and KU Leuven to celebrate their 600th anniversary.
Clergy prepares for a holy Mass at the Roi Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Sunday 29 September 2024. Credit: Belga
