Pope Francis Calls Europe to Embrace Peace and Welcome Migrants

Pope Francis called on Europe to become a symbol of peace and a welcoming refuge for migrants and refugees as he began his visit to Luxembourg on Thursday. This trip aimed to address both spiritual and humanitarian concerns while energizing the dwindling Catholic community in a region once considered a bastion of Christianity.

Upon his arrival in Luxembourg, the second-smallest and wealthiest country per capita in the European Union, Francis received a warm welcome despite the chilly weather that soon turned into rain. The 87-year-old Pope had recently canceled some of his engagements due to a mild flu, but he appeared to be in good health during the visit. Although he did not make his customary walk down the airplane aisle to greet journalists, the Vatican spokesperson clarified that it was because of the short flight and the layout of the plane, not health concerns.

Luxembourg was the first stop for Pope Francis before he headed to Belgium, where he will spend the weekend. His agenda includes discussions about immigration and peace, especially with the ongoing war in Ukraine. He is also expected to meet with survivors of clergy sexual abuse, a significant issue in the Belgian Catholic Church.

In Luxembourg, Francis was accompanied by Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, a close confidant and one of Francis’ trusted advisors. Hollerich, a Jesuit like the Pope, guided him around the country, taking him to a soccer-themed coffee shop near his home during an afternoon break. Hollerich is Luxembourg’s only cardinal and has played a crucial role in shaping the Pope’s reform initiatives within the Catholic Church.

In his opening address to Luxembourg’s government officials and diplomats, Pope Francis highlighted the country’s historical significance as a European crossroads. Luxembourg, having been invaded during both World Wars, is acutely aware of the devastation that nationalism and harmful ideologies can bring. He emphasized that the country could serve as a model, showcasing the advantages of peace over the horrors of war. “Luxembourg can show everyone the advantages of peace as opposed to the horrors of war,” Francis said.

Francis also praised Luxembourg for its long-standing tradition of opening its doors to foreigners. He urged the country to continue this role and to use its wealth to help poorer nations, reducing the economic pressure that forces people to migrate. “This is one way to ensure a decrease in the number of those forced to emigrate, often in inhumane and dangerous conditions,” the Pope stated. “Let us not forget that having wealth includes responsibility.”

Luxembourg, with a population of 660,000, is a melting pot, where more than half of its residents are non-native. Many are EU bureaucrats or second-generation Portuguese citizens, and the country has a history of welcoming migrants from both within and outside the EU. It has accepted a significant number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean and those fleeing conflict in regions such as Ukraine. By March 2024, Luxembourg was providing temporary protection to over 4,200 non-EU citizens displaced by the war in Ukraine.

Denise Berans, a local resident, noted the excitement in the air, saying, “There are a lot of people here too, border residents who have come and foreigners who live in Luxembourg to see the pope. It is an exceptional thing.”

During a meeting with the Catholic community at Luxembourg’s Cathedral of Notre Dame, Pope Francis lauded the country’s commitment to welcoming those in need. The cathedral, built by Jesuits in the early 1600s, stands as a reminder of Christianity’s deep roots in European history. The Pope urged the Catholic community to uphold this legacy and continue to make Luxembourg a welcoming place for those seeking help. “I encourage you to be faithful to this legacy, and to continue to make your country a friendly home for those who knock at your door seeking help and hospitality,” Francis said, reiterating his call for everyone to feel welcomed in the church.

Luxembourg’s Christian heritage dates back to the 4th century, and it was once a strongly Catholic nation. However, Vatican statistics reveal that only 41% of the population identifies as Catholic today. The rapid decline in religious participation mirrors trends seen across much of Europe, where secularism has gained ground, and the Catholic Church faces increasing challenges.

Pope Francis’ visit to Luxembourg was much shorter than St. John Paul II’s 10-day tour of the region in 1985, which included stops in Belgium and the Netherlands. During that trip, John Paul II delivered 59 speeches and sermons, and was met by enthusiastic crowds. Yet even then, the Catholic Church faced opposition to its stances on issues like contraception, a resistance that has only grown over time.

The sexual abuse crisis, as well as disagreements with Vatican teachings on sexual morality, have contributed to a sharp decline in church participation. Today, church attendance is low, and new priest ordinations have significantly decreased.

Still, despite these challenges, crowds of well-wishers gathered in the narrow streets near the Dukal Palace to catch a glimpse of the Pope in his popemobile. Even rain did not deter the crowd, though one protester jumped over the barricades in an attempt to reach the Pope and was quickly subdued by security.

In a recent article in the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, Cardinal Hollerich attributed the decline in the Catholic Church in Luxembourg to secularism and the influx of people with different or no religious beliefs. He argued that the church must adapt to the current reality, rather than attempt to restore its former dominance. “We can no longer look back in the hope of restoring that church that existed a half-century ago. We have to try to find traces of God in the current secularization,” Hollerich wrote.

Cardinal Hollerich, appointed a cardinal by Francis in 2019, plays a pivotal role in the Pope’s ongoing reform efforts. He serves as the general rapporteur for the Synod on Synodality, a major initiative aimed at addressing the future of the Catholic Church. In this capacity, Hollerich has overseen consultations with Catholics worldwide and compiled their views into working papers for bishops to discuss at the Vatican. The second session of this multi-year synod is set to begin next week.

Pope Francis’ high regard for Hollerich is evident. Last year, the Pope named Hollerich to his Council of Cardinals, an advisory group of nine prelates who meet regularly to assist the Pope in governing the Church.

Francis’ trip to Luxembourg, though brief, emphasized the pressing issues of migration, peace, and the church’s future in an increasingly secularized Europe. His message to the continent was clear: Europe must embrace its role as a beacon of peace and continue to open its doors to those in need, while the Catholic Church must find new ways to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.