How the Pope surprised thousands of young people during his visit to Belgium (Brussels)

This article originally appeared on September 28, 2024.

5 pm in the afternoon and frontman Lindz West of the British band LZ7, the Ing Arena whips up on the Brussels Heysel. Behind him a gigantic cross with LED screens. « This is our way of bringing the story of Jesus, » he shouts. « Because we believe in him. Hands in the air and jump when you do that too. » What does not differ much from the boiler room on Pukkelpop. Hope Happening, the Youth Festival in the context of the Eucharistic celebration on Sunday morning, had just as good Pimple can be called. Party. They are not all NONNEKES AND PATERKES who still believe. Except those two with their delicious dress-outfit, accompanied by a Belgian pack of fries.

A little earlier, Joke, Silke and Sam had already spread their beds in another Heysel Palace. Because of the nearly 6,000 young people at the festival, 3,600 stayed. Festival tents were not necessary on the gigantic indoor campsite. « It’s great to see that there are so many young people who believe, » says Silke. Although the friends feel that the party is being drowned out by the stories about child abuse within the Catholic Church. « That should not be concealed, » says Silke. « But it is a pity that it must always be about that. Because that has nothing to do with God. Those are the bad guys within the church, the rotten apples. They have to get out. But it would be a shame that young people no longer dare to believe because they are afraid of being a victim of it. »

There was more than music in Brussels Expo. Adrien Roubens usually keeps it abstract, but at the festival he made a graffiti drawing of Pope Francis. « I believe there is something, » he says. « But I don’t specifically believe in the Catholic Church. Well in the values ​​that she conquers: likes to see each other and take care of each other. »

That is also what Paola and Pauline say beautifully dressed between the food and drink stalls. « We have a book in which people can write down their message of hope. » The two are not religious. « This is a job for us. For example, we were also extras on Tomorrowland. » They seemed to be taken away from the dance festival.

Nothing but cheerfulness on the Heysel. Here some folk dancing, there go-cartcross. Hamburger in between. But of course there are also silent places at a festival for believers. « I teach people pray like Pope Francis and the Jesuits do that, » says Rik Timmermans. « It is meditation. You try to go through the day with God. First you think of the things that were good. You always have to start with the positive. And then you think about what could be better, and what you can do to make it better the next day. » According to Rik, the pope takes fifteen minutes for that every day. « It is praying in a different way than, for example, to cancel the Lord’s Prayer. But of course that is always possible, for example at the end. » But you could also call in a group? A cardinal came especially from Canada for such a group session.

Hope Happening was actually the support act for the main act of the Pope visit that ends on Sunday. Many young people combine the two. And many of them are a volunteer on Sunday during Mass: they are altar boys or parasol carrier. The latter must ensure that the hostie sliders keep it dry. They were briefed during the festival. Tomorrow also go to the Eucharistic celebration: the scout friends Zoë, Julie, Theodora, Alixe and Emelyne: « Of course it is not Taylor Swift. But it will be the only time in our lives that we can experience this together with so many people. »

And whether it was an experience … The thousands of young people still received a surprise visit from Pope Francis himself in the evening. Around 8.30 pm the man arrived on stage. He addressed the young people. « Go ahead, make a noise. But always keep the Lord in memory, » he says on. « Never look at the other person from the height. Only if you want to pull someone from bottom to top. Then it is allowed. » In addition, the pope also blessed a child on stage.