Arrival at Findel airport
Departing from Rome-Fiumicino airport at 8:30 a.m., Ita Airways flight AZ4000 touches the tarmac at Findel airport a little less than an hour and a half later. A few minutes pass then Pope Francis gets off the Airbus A320neo in a wheelchair. He is welcomed by the Grand Ducal couple and Prime Minister Luc Frieden. The anthems of the Vatican and Luxembourg resound.
Welcome to the Grand Ducal Palace
From Findel airport, Pope Francis heads to the Grand Ducal Palace. He first signed the guestbook there, before speaking at greater length with Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa and meeting the entire Grand Ducal family. A private audience follows with Prime Minister Luc Frieden, out of sight.
The excitement in front of the Cercle Cité and on the route of the popemobile
While the pope is at the grand ducal palace, the crowd gathers in front of the Cercle Cité, which constitutes the next stage, but also – little by little – all along the route that the popemobile must take at midday . A heavy downpour does not discourage the public, prepared to have to face the rain. Faithful and curious people testify to the importance of the event at the microphone of Comma. Like Marie-Thérèse, who took leave to be present.
The speech at the Cercle Cité
Pope Francis then spoke, following Prime Minister Luc Frieden, before representatives of civil society and members of the government, at the Cercle Cité. Some 300 guests were gathered there.
Pope Francis and Prime Minister Luc Frieden at the Cercle Cité. © PHOTO: Anouk Antony
“Since the end of the Second World War, your country has distinguished itself in the construction of a united and united Europe, in which each country, large or small, has its role to play, leaving behind divisions and wars. caused by exacerbated nationalism and pernicious ideologies. Ideologies are always enemies of democracy,” declared the sovereign pontiff, before concluding: “Luxembourg is a country which opens its doors to non-discrimination. John Paul II’s speech delivered in 1985 remains the same: “your country remains true to itself, a crossroads for so many civilizations, a place of exchange.” I renew more particularly my call for the restoration of solidarity between peoples.”
Through the streets in a popemobile
At midday, finally, the moment awaited by the general public: the passage of Pope Francis through certain streets of the city center aboard the popemobile. A short turn taken at a walking pace, the vehicle adopts a sustained pace. The course was supposed to last 30 minutes on paper, it was completed in a little less time than that.
After the Pope’s visit, many faithful expressed their emotion at having seen the Pope so closely. For many, it was the first time. For example Anne-Claire.
The testimony of several spectators who attended the Pope’s parade in his popemobile this Thursday, September 26, 2024 in Luxembourg City. © Lorène Paul, Christophe Lemaire, Pascal Mittelberger
A little rest… and an espresso!
The Pope’s public journey ends in front of the Episcopal Palace, where the Holy Father takes a brief walkabout before taking a well-deserved moment of rest after this busy morning. And just to recharge the batteries before going to Notre-Dame Cathedral to meet the Catholic community, François treats himself a little by going for an espresso at the Gruppetto café, located a stone’s throw from the religious building and known for its collection of cycling outfits.
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In Notre-Dame Cathedral
The Pope’s Luxembourg visit ended with a meeting with the Catholic community at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg. A celebration marked by joy. Several speeches alternated with songs and dances. Pope Francis once again thanked the people of Luxembourg for their welcome towards foreigners. Before leaving the cathedral to the loud applause of spectators, and taking another walkabout, Pope Francis received a gift from the Luxembourg Catholic Church. This raised a total of 176,000 euros which will be paid to the Dicastery for the Pope’s Charity Service. The Pope warmly thanked this gesture but hoped that this money would be used for people in need in Luxembourg. The Pope left the cathedral to the applause of some 500 guests and to the “Hallelujahs” which resonated throughout the religious building.
Return to Findel and takeoff for Belgium
Last stop of the day for Pope Francis: return to Findel airport under escort. It was there that he boarded a Luxair plane, after greeting the Grand Ducal couple, Prime Minister Luc Frieden and the country’s religious authorities one last time.
Around 6:30 p.m., the sovereign pontiff’s plane took off. Direction Melsbroek, in the Brussels region, where the plane landed shortly after 7 p.m. Pope Francis will remain in the country until Sunday. In particular, he will give a mass in the Roi-Baudouin stadium in front of 37,000 people.
