Pope's Four-Day Visit to Belgium Resembles a Star-Studded Show

brussels - Pope Francis's upcoming four-day visit to Belgium is turning into a star-studded event, but is also overshadowed by Belgian church scandals.

The arrival of Pope Francis in Belgium is being likened to a star-studded show. The Flemish newspaper De Standaard featured the Pope on the front page of its weekend edition, portraying him in a pop artist style: standing in an open car with his guards faintly visible in soft light, along with a cameraman, surrounded by a vague impression of a nearly invisible crowd.

His arrival on Thursday night at a military airfield will be broadcast live on Flemish television, as the Pope arrives from Luxembourg.

However, the four-day visit is also overshadowed by Belgian church scandals. An EBU-broadcasted mass slated for Sunday, featuring a song composed by the late Belgian priest Paul Schollaert, was removed at the last minute. Schollaert, who was involved in sexual abuse, had his composition scheduled to be sung by over 37,000 attendees at the Brussels King Baudouin Stadium. However, Bishop of Hasselt, who knew of Schollaert's misconduct, decided not to participate in the papal visit events.

On Friday, the Pope is set to meet with about fifteen victims of sexual abuse selected by the Belgian bishops. This meeting, criticized by retired priest Rik Devillé as a farce due to bureaucratic delays, may hinder meaningful conversations.

The Pope's visit marks the 600th anniversary of the Catholic University of Leuven, which he will visit on Friday. Other events include a visit to the Royal Palace in Laken and a ceremony at the grand Basilica of Koekelberg in Brussels.