Vatican considers beatification of King Baudouin amid controversy
The Vatican has launched an inquiry into the potential beatification of Belgium’s late King Baudouin, whose strong opposition to the 1990 abortion law marked him as a deeply principled but polarising figure. While Pope Francis has praised Baudouin’s moral courage as saintly, critics argue his actions reflect a contentious entanglement of personal faith and state governance.
The Vatican has initiated an investigation into the possible beatification of Belgium’s late King Baudouin. The deeply religious king refused to sign the bill legalising abortion in Belgium, citing his faith. To bypass this impasse, the government briefly declared him unable to reign, allowing the law to pass without his signature.
During a September visit to Belgium, Pope Francis praised Baudouin’s stance, describing him as “a saint” for choosing to abdicate rather than compromise his principles.
At a mass in the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, the Pope unexpectedly announced that the beatification process would begin, surprising both the Belgian bishops and the royal palace. “The king was a courageous man who refused to sign a murderous law. That takes courage, and he did it because he is a saint,” Francis said.
The Pope’s comments, including his assertion on the flight back to Rome that “doctors who perform abortions are hitmen”, provoked widespread outrage in Belgium. Many politicians and citizens viewed Baudouin’s actions as an inappropriate imposition of personal faith on public policy and condemned the Pope’s remarks as inflammatory and disrespectful to medical professions.
Difficult process
The beatification process, overseen by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, is lengthy and rigorous. A commission of experts has been tasked with studying Baudouin’s life and legacy. To achieve beatification, a candidate must either be martyred or have a miracle attributed to their intercession. Canonisation, or sainthood, requires a second verified miracle.
Since Belgium’s independence in 1830, only four Belgians have been canonised, the most famous being Father Damien. The last beatification occurred in 2018, when Father Charles Deckers and 18 other people killed in Algeria were recognised as martyrs. Baudouin’s case joins three other ongoing beatification procedures for Belgian figures.
Pope Francis leads a holy mass at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels © BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND