Belgian bishops announce collection to cover outstanding debt from Pope Francis’ visit

Pope Francis with the king and queen of Belgium during his visit to the country in 2024. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

ACI Prensa Staff, Sep 5, 2025 / 15:36 pm (CNA).

Sept. 26 marks one year since Pope Francis’ apostolic visit to Belgium to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the Catholic universities of Leuven and Leuven-la-Neuve, an event that involved a significant financial and logistical effort.

In a recent statement, the Belgian bishops announced a new collection to raise the remaining 800,000 euros ($940,000) to cover the debts owed for the historic event. The Argentinian pope’s visit — lasting two and a half days — cost more than 3 million euros ($3.5 million). Patrick du Bois, who was responsible for logistics during the papal visit, confirmed the figure to ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner.

Ensuring the necessary security for the bishop of Rome, preparing the city for the pope’s visit, and preparing large spaces for heavily attended Masses entailed a considerable investment, according to Du Bois.

“The organizational efforts are enormous, on the one hand because large crowds gather around the Holy Father, and on the other because his security requires very strict measures,” said Du Bois, who led the organization and logistics of the papal visit at the request of Archbishop Luc Terlinden, president of the Belgian Bishops’ Conference.

Du Bois said the state was responsible for security on public roads, “while everything that happens inside a venue — stadium or basilica — is the responsibility of the local Church.”

He confirmed that the bishops’ conference had to cover all expenses, “including lodging, meals, and even laundry services for all members of the Vatican accompanying the Holy Father.” A total of 65 Vatican personnel traveled for the visit to Belgium, some for 15 days.

“The Vatican requires that all public acts of the Holy Father be filmed and that the images be made available at no charge to all media outlets worldwide. If local television refuses to produce these images, the bishops’ conference must hire private companies and assume the cost,” Du Bois explained.

He also noted that “all travel expenses, including those of numerous journalists, are also the responsibility of the bishops’ conference.”

Funded by the generosity of the faithful

In their message, the Belgian prelates recalled that 40,000 people participated in the Mass celebrated at King Baudouin Stadium and more than 5,000 young people attended the “Hope Happening” festival, which the pope attended, held on the Heysel esplanade.

The bishops explained that the pastoral component was funded primarily through donations from the laity, raising nearly 2 million euros ($2.35 million). This sum was used, among other things, to rent the King Baudouin Stadium and provide security for the faithful who attended free of charge.

To raise the remaining funds, the Belgian Bishops’ Conference has asked for the support of the country’s faithful, announcing that funds raised during Masses on Sept. 20-21 will be used for this purpose.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.