ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has added a stop in Luxembourg to a trip to Belgium in September, a three-day visit that will come as he is recovering from a much longer and challenging trip to Asia.
The Vatican on Monday announced the Sept. 26-29 dates of the planned trip, saying Francis would first stop in Luxembourg and then travel onto Brussels, Leuven and Louvain-la-Neuve in Belgium.
Belgium’s bishops had previously announced that Francis was coming to celebrate the 600th anniversary of the country’s two main Catholic universities. Francis’ stop in Luxembourg is apparently something of a nod to Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, the Jesuit archbishop of Luxembourg who is playing a major role in Francis’ big synod, a years-long reform project for the Catholic Church.
The Luxembourg and Belgium visit is scheduled to begin less than two weeks after Francis returns from the longest and most challenging foreign trip of his pontificate, a Sept. 2-13 voyage to Indonesia, East Timor, Papua New Guinea and Singapore.
'Constantly learning' Imanaga off to impressive start with the Chicago Cubs
Russian missiles slam into a Ukraine city and kill 17 people as the war approaches a critical stage
Amanda Holden showcases her toned figure in an elegant coral red dress as she runs errands
Kevin Pillar gets 1,000th career hit in Angels' win at Texas
Dallas Stars clinch top seed in Western Conference by getting to overtime against Blues
OJ Simpson's remains are cremated in Las Vegas as his lawyer reveals ex
Choctaw artist Jeffrey Gibson is first Native American to represent the US solo at Venice Biennale
Ben Whishaw lights up the Croisette as he joins his co
Germany arrests 2 for allegedly spying for Russia, plotting sabotage to undermine Ukraine aid
Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Maryland ban on rifles known as assault weapons
One in THREE people will be struck down with 'silent killer' amid huge surge in condition