At the end of Holy Mass in King Baudouin Stadium, after the words of thanks from Archbishop Luc Terlinden of Malines-Bruxelles, the Pope led the recitation of the Angelus prayer.

Then, after the final blessing, he greeted the royal families of Belgium and Luxembourg. He subsequently transferred by car to Melsbroek Air Base for the farewell ceremony from Belgium.

The following are the Pope’s words of introduction to the Marian prayer:

I thank the Archbishop for his kind words. I express heartfelt gratitude to Their Majesties the King and Queen, as well as to Their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, for their presence and hospitality in these days.

Likewise, I extend my gratitude to all who, in many ways, have worked together to organize this Visit. In a special way, I thank the elderly and the sick who have offered their prayers.

Today we are celebrating the World Day of Migrants and Refugees with the theme of “God walks with his people”. From this country, Belgium, which has been and still is a destination for so many migrants, I renew my appeal to Europe and the international community to consider the migratory phenomenon as an opportunity to grow together in fraternity, and I invite everyone to see in each migrant brother and sister the face of Jesus who has made himself a guest and a pilgrim among us.

I continue to follow with sorrow and much concern the widening and intensification of the conflict in Lebanon.  Lebanon is a message, but right now it is a war-torn message, and this war is having devastating effects on the population: many, too many people continue to die day after day in the Middle East. We pray for the victims and their families, and we pray for peace. I call on all parties to stop immediately all hostilities in Lebanon, in Gaza, in the rest of Palestine, in Israel. Release the hostages and allow humanitarian aid. Let us not forget war-torn Ukraine.

I also thank so many of you who have come from the Netherlands, Germany, and France to share this day: thank you.

At this time I would also like to give you some news. On my return to Rome I will begin the process of beatification of King Baudouin: may his example as a man of faith enlighten those who govern. I ask the Belgian Bishops to commit themselves to advance this cause.

We now turn to the Virgin Mary as we recite the Angelus together. This was a very popular prayer in past generations.  It should be revived, for it is a synthesis of the Christian mystery, and the Church teaches us to incorporate it into our daily activities. I commend it especially to you young people, and I entrust all of you to our Blessed Mother, who is depicted here, beside the altar, as the Seat of Wisdom. Indeed, how much we need the wisdom of the Gospel! Let us ask the Holy Spirit for it often.

Through Mary’s intercession, let us ask God for the gift of peace, for war-torn Ukraine; for Palestine and Israel; for Sudan; for Myanmar and all the lands scarred by war.

Thank you everyone!  Let us carry on, “en route, avec Espérance”!