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.
French sports minister calls for sanctions after Monaco player tapes over anti
Pic Story: NPC Deputy Focuses on Rural Vitalization
Verstappen grabs pole in Japan for Red Bull one
Developing Smart Agriculture, Helping Farmers Increase Incomes
Iran helicopter crash that killed President Raisi could reverberate across the Middle East
Pic Story of Rural Video Blogger in SW China's Sichuan
Chinese Farmer Helps Fellow Villagers Make a Fortune After Inheriting Traditional Folk Craft
Woman Raises Goats to Help Vitalize Rural Hometown
Dodgers acquire pitcher Yohan Ramírez from Mets for cash
Local Grannies Volunteer to Provide Lunches to Frontline Workers in Quanzhou, Fujian
Philippines blames China for loss of giant clams in disputed shoal and urges environmental inquiry
China expects 17.5 mln rail passenger trips on first day of Qingming Festival holiday