Expect extra security and adapted public transport during pope's visit to Belgium

The pope is visiting Leuven to mark the 600th anniversary of the city’s Catholic University, now split into KU Leuven and the francophone UC Louvain. His plane will land at Melsbroek military airbase on Thursday evening. On Friday, he will meet King Philippe, prime minister Alexander De Croo and other political and civil society figures.

After meeting professors at KU Leuven, the pope will move to the Grote Markt and Sint-Pieterskerk in the early evening – scheduled for 17.30-18.00 – to greet the people. This will have a knock-on effect on transport and security in the city.

De Lijn buses will operate local detours as certain streets and squares are closed. For an overview of the changes, see the De Lijn website or app.  

Apart from public transport diversions, many security measures will be in place, including in the area where people can greet the pope, around Sint-Pieterskerk. Registration in advance is not necessary, but you must sign in at one of the checkpoints giving access to the greeting zones. 

Large handbags, backpacks, bottles and banners are not allowed. Several streets in the city centre will only be accessible on foot between 12.00 and 19.00. Hogeschoolplein will not be accessible and any bikes parked there will be removed from 10.00.

Terraces will be restricted in certain places, the Friday market will be moved and the town hall will have alternative opening hours, as will Sint-Pieterskerk. See the city of Leuven’s website for details.  

Changes in Brussels

On Saturday morning, the pope will move on to the Koekelberg Basilica in Brussels. There will be a chance to greet him there, between 9.45 and 10.00 in front of the church. This requires advance registration.

Police ask people to travel by public transport and be on time. Various security measures will also apply. Certain De Lijn bus stops will not be served because vehicles will be diverted, and there will be replacement stops. See the company’s website for more information.

MIVB will adjust the route of tram 9 from 22.00 on Friday until 14.00 on Saturday. Buses 13, 57, 87 and N16 will also be diverted. See the website or app for details. 

On Saturday afternoon, the pope will make his way to UC Louvain, the sister university of KU Leuven, in Louvain-la-Neuve. He will speak to students about issues including climate change and sustainability. Those who wish can greet him in the car park in front of the Aula Magna between 17.45 and 18.00.

The celebration of Mass on Sunday morning at the King Baudouin Stadium should be the highlight of the pope’s visit. He will celebrate the Eucharist at 10.00 in a full stadium at Heysel.

There will be another chance to greet the pope here too, between 9.00 and 9.45 along a route between Brussels Expo and the stadium. Attendees must be in place by 8.40. 

Pedestrian access only

A safety zone will be set up in and around the stadium and the Heysel Plateau. Traffic will be disrupted and there will be a complete ban on parking. Any vehicles still in the zone, including bikes and mopeds, will be removed, Brussels police warn. 

The zone between parking E of Brussels Expo and Houba De Strooperlaan will only be accessible to pedestrians. People without a ticket will not be allowed to enter the stadium. No dangerous objects, backpacks, flags or drones will be allowed inside the security perimeter. 

As on other days, police are urging people to be on time and avoid driving as much as possible. Entry to the stadium will begin at 6.00.

Metro line 2 will be extended to Koning Boudewijn station and will run as line 6 until 18.00. Tram 9 will be restricted to Stadion until 14.00. Bus 83 will be diverted from Tircher to Esplanade until 14.00.

De Lijn is also adjusting some routes, removing some stops and adding some temporary ones. Check the changed services on the app or via the website.