Originally published at National Catholic Register
The Pope spent a moment in silent prayer before the tomb of King Baudouin before lauding his witness to the protection of life.
Pope Francis lauded Belgian King Baudouin for choosing to temporarily abdicate the throne rather than sign a law legalizing abortion during a visit to the Catholic king’s tomb on Saturday in Belgium.
The Pope also expressed hope that the sainthood cause for King Baudouin, who ruled from 1951 until 1993, will advance.
According to the Vatican, Pope Francis praised King Baudouin’s courage for choosing to “leave his place as king in order not to sign a murderous law.”
“The Pope urged Belgians to look to him at this time when criminal laws are still being made,” the Holy See Press Office said.
After addressing Belgian bishops in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Brussels on Sept. 28, Pope Francis visited the basilica’s royal crypt named after Our Lady of Laeken, where many members of the Royal House of Belgium are buried.
Welcomed by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, the Pope spent a moment in silent prayer before
