Pope Francis in Luxembourg with a service model – Vatican News

Mr. Jinu Thekketalakkal, Vatican City

Pope Francis has boarded the plane for his fortieth apostolic journey when his heart is full of sweet memories and testimonies of faith on his twenty-fifth apostolic journey to the continents of Asia and Oceania. This trip can also be described as Pope Francis’ peace mission from East to West. The message of brotherhood, peace, and loving friendship that has always appeared in the 45th apostolic visit of Pope Francis, which began in the first week of September, is highlighted in the Luxembourg-Belgium visit.

It is this message that is indicated in the sign of the trip and the best thing. The sign for the visit to Luxembourg shows Pope Francis blessing the people against the backdrop of Notre Dame Cathedral. While the yellow and white colors highlight the official Vatican flag, the blue crescent above it signifies the presence of the Holy Mother. The color reinforces the Marian honor which is deeply rooted in the history of the Catholic Church of Luxembourg. Next is the ideal word ‘attend’. Following the example of the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Saint Matthew, the Pope emphasizes on his journey the motto of serving humanity, which is the true nature of the Church.

Luxemburg continues on his journey in Belgium, highlighting the need for the service. The sign indicates the call to walk together. On the back is the map of the country, and in the middle are people of different ages and different cultures walking along the path, with Pope Francis painted in pink in the middle. The best phrase is “hope on the way.” This good news shares the message that the church is with those who travel through life with hope. So the fortieth apostolic journey of Pope Francis is a call to service and hope. On the twenty-fifth of September, the day before he left Rome, the Pope arrived as usual at the Basilica Maria Maggiore, and before the wonderful image of the Salus Poppoli Romani, the Pope dedicated his journey and the people he met. the way with prayer. Then on the twenty-sixth day, before he left for Rome’s Fiumicino airport in the morning, the Pope found some people sleeping on the streets of Rome at his home and engaged in a friendly conversation with them. Cardinal Krajewski, who coordinates the charity work of Pope Francis, came to visit the Pope with these people.

After arriving at the airport, Pope Francis shook hands with the officials and staff involved in various services at the airport before boarding the plane. The Pope then welcomed the Vatican delegation and journalists traveling with Pope Francis inside the plane. At 8:29 am Italian time, the Italian airline Itta Airways A321 carrying Pope Francis left for Luxembourg. The plane flies over countries like Italy, Austria, Germany and Belgium. As the plane flew over each country, Pope Francis flexibly sent a telegram to the country’s governor. In the message, although the wording was different, the idea was to ask for God’s blessings and to wish all kinds of success for the kingdom.

Pope Francis also spoke welcoming everyone on the plane. Pope Francis arrived at Findel Airport in Luxembourg around 9.56 am local time, and at 1.26 pm Indian time. Currently there is a time difference of three and a half hours between Luxembourg and India. Pope John Paul II has visited Luxembourg before. As the second Pope to visit the country, the faithful are eagerly awaiting the visit of Pope Francis.

Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries in Europe. There are 271 thousand Catholics in the country out of 654 thousand people. Luxembourg, where the Pope is visiting, is the largest city in the country, with 24 districts. Luxembourg became an independent country in 1890 after being under the control of several countries. Also during the Second World War, some countries lived in Luxembourg. Today, Luxembourg is one of the main centers of the European Union. It is also the birthplace of one of the founders of the Union, Robert Schumann. The city also has many historical monuments such as Notre Dame Cathedral built in Gothic architecture and the Principality Palace.

When the plane carrying Pope Francis arrived at a specially prepared place at the airport, Archbishop Franco Coppola, the Vatican’s representative in Luxembourg and head of protocol, was into the plane and then took the Pope out of the plane through a specially prepared path. The Pope was officially welcomed at the airport by the Duke of Luxembourg, his wife and the Prime Minister. Two young men brought flowers to Papa. Then, receiving a guard of honor, the Pope and other heads of state entered the official reception area and sat down. Around a hundred young people gathered around the reception adding to the joy. The national anthems of both countries were sung and the delegates were introduced to each other. Then around 10.30 local time, Pope Francis left for the Lord’s palace. The palace was about 9 km away. The palace is one of the main centers of the city and the administrative center of the head of state. After a fifteen minute ride, Papa arrived at the palace. Pope Francis and his wife received at the main entrance. Then after a group photo, papa was introduced to Prabhu’s family members as they reached the main reception room on the first floor via the elevator. Then everyone went into the dance hall.

Pope Francis wrote his short message in the book where guests write their messages of respect. “What makes a good country is to protect the dignity of its individuals, to serve the common good, to promote dialogue and international cooperation,” wrote Pope Francis. After the official photo with the Duke’s family members, a short private meeting was held between the Pope, the Duke and his wife. Meanwhile, gifts were also exchanged. After the meeting with Prabhu, the Pope met with the Prime Minister at the same palace around 11.15 local time.

After the election, on November 17, 2023, the Grand Duke Reyale named Enrico Luc Frieden as Prime Minister and took power. After his private meeting with the Prime Minister, Pope Francis moved to Sherle Chitta, which is just about five hundred meters away, to meet the representatives of the people and diplomatic officials. At the time, important authorities of the country were also present. About three hundred people attended the conference. The Pope received the Prime Minister and the Mayor. Political, religious and community leaders, various military leaders, diplomats and entrepreneurs participated in the conference. The Grand Duke and his wife were sitting in the first row.

When Papa entered the hall, everyone stood up and greeted him with a standing ovation. Then the Prime Minister spoke by officially welcoming Pope Francis to Luxembourg. The Prime Minister began by saying that he welcomed Pope Francis as the head of state, as the head of the Catholic Church and as a moral authority known throughout the world, and expressed his gratitude for the generosity shown by Pope Francis to visit the forty countries. years after the visit of Pope John Paul II. The Prime Minister emphasized how happy and how important the Pope’s visit was to people living in Luxembourg from different countries. He also highlighted the importance of joint efforts between countries for world peace. When he finished by saying that the people of Luxembourg were waiting to hear the Pope’s message, the whole hall went out with joy.

After welcoming the Prime Minister, the Pope began his message. After the message, Pope Francis signed the visit diary with his short message. After greeting the heads of state again, the Pope then went to the Archbishop’s residence in an open carriage. People lined both sides of the road, bowing their heads for the Pope’s blessings and chanting for the Pope. After arriving at the Archbishop’s residence, the Pope had lunch and rested