Pope Francis arrived in Luxembourg on Thursday, calling for Europe to be a beacon of peace in the face of war and a welcoming home for migrants, the Associated Press reports.
The visit, part of a brief tour of Europe, comes as Francis seeks to encourage the dwindling Catholic community in what was once a stronghold of Christianity.
Despite rainy weather, the 87-year-old pope received a warm reception as he touched down in Luxembourg, the European Union’s second-smallest country. The trip marks his first public appearance since canceling recent engagements due to a mild flu. Though he appeared in good health, Francis skipped his usual walk down the plane aisle to greet journalists, with his spokesman citing the short flight and small aircraft as the reason.
Luxembourg, a wealthy nation known for its hospitality towards migrants, served as a fitting backdrop for Francis’ message of peace and solidarity. The pope highlighted the country’s history as a geographic crossroads, emphasizing its past experiences with conflict and its current role as a model for peace and unity.
“Luxembourg can show everyone the advantages of peace as opposed to the horrors of war,” Francis said.
He also praised Luxembourg’s longstanding tradition of welcoming foreigners, noting that more than half of the country’s 660,000 residents are immigrants or descendants of migrants. While commending this openness, Francis urged the nation to use its wealth to help impoverished countries and reduce the number of people forced to migrate in search of better opportunities.
The visit is seen as part of Francis’ broader effort to address Europe’s refugee crisis, with Luxembourg accepting refugees, including over 4,000 non-EU citizens fleeing the war in Ukraine. The pope’s remarks were welcomed by local residents, many of whom gathered along the streets to catch a glimpse of him.
During his time in Luxembourg, Francis also visited the Cathedral of Notre Dame, where he encouraged the Catholic community to remain faithful to their Christian heritage and continue welcoming those in need. He reiterated his call for inclusivity, saying the church should be a welcoming place for “todos, todos, todos” (everyone, everyone, everyone).
Luxembourg, once a predominantly Catholic country, has seen its Catholic population shrink to around 41%, reflecting broader secularization trends across Europe. The decline in religious participation, compounded by the crisis over clergy sexual abuse, has led to dwindling mass attendance and fewer ordinations of new priests. Francis’ visit is seen as an effort to rekindle faith in the region, although he faces significant challenges, with secular attitudes becoming more prevalent.
Accompanied by Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, a key advisor and Luxembourg’s only cardinal, Francis used the trip to get a deeper understanding of the local church’s challenges. Hollerich, a Jesuit like Francis, has played a central role in the pope’s ongoing church reform efforts and has been instrumental in shaping discussions about the future of the Catholic Church.
After spending a few hours in Luxembourg, Francis traveled to Belgium, where immigration and peace will also be key themes during his weekend stay. Additionally, Francis is expected to meet with survivors of clergy abuse, acknowledging the ongoing struggles the Catholic Church faces in addressing its troubled past.
