Pope Francis to visit Brussels’ Koekelberg Basilica in September “if health allows”

Pope Francis is expected to visit Koekelberg Basilica in Brussels at the end of September “if his health allows", according to the national church, reports RTBF/Belga.

While the precise date of the visit has yet to be set, the basilica’s general director Martine Motteux-Abeloos said it will probably take place on the weekend of 21-22 or 28-29 September. “However, this has not yet been confirmed,” she added.

The Vatican announced last December that the sovereign pontiff would be in Belgium during 2024, on the occasion of the 600th anniversary of the university KU Leuven.

Previous papal visits to the basilica were made by Pope John Paul II in 1985 and 1995.