Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

Pope Francis’ visit to Luxembourg and Belgium from September 26-29 will occur just 13 days after concluding the longest trip of his pontificate. Following visits to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore from September 3-13, the pope will travel to Luxembourg on September 26 and then to Belgium from September 26-29, visiting Brussels, Leuven, and Louvain-la-Neuve.

The itinerary includes traditional engagements such as meeting with government officials, local Catholics, celebrating an open-air Mass, and private meetings with fellow Jesuits. The primary focus in Belgium is to commemorate the founding of the Catholic University of Leuven, which celebrates its 600th anniversary during the 2024-2025 academic year.

Founded in 1425 by a decree from Pope Martin V, the university now exists as two separate entities: KU Leuven (Dutch-speaking) in Leuven and UCLouvain (French-speaking) in Louvain-la-Neuve. The pope will engage with professors at KU Leuven and students at UCLouvain.

According to The CIA Factbook, tensions between Dutch-speaking Flemish in the north and French-speaking Walloons in the south have led to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. Of Belgium’s nearly 12 million residents, approximately 57% are Catholic.

Brussels serves as the capital of both Belgium and the European Union. It hosts key EU institutions including the European Commission, Council of the European Union, European Parliament's formal seat, European Council headquarters as well as NATO headquarters.

Luxembourg was among six countries that founded the European Economic Community in 1957 before becoming part of the European Union. With a population of about 670,000—nearly three-quarters identifying as Christian—63.8% are Catholic according to EU statistics.

In 2019, Pope Francis created Luxembourg’s first cardinal by elevating Archbishop Jean-Claude Hollerich to the College of Cardinals. Cardinal Hollerich is a Jesuit member of Pope Francis' advisory Council of Cardinals and relator general for the Synod of Bishops on synodality.

The last papal visit to Luxembourg was by St. John Paul II in 1985; his last visit to Belgium was in 1995 for St. Damien De Veuster's beatification.

Below is Pope Francis' detailed schedule for his trip released by Vatican on July 19:

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