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. |
Digital Silk Road development enables connectivity, prosperityBoeser's hat trick helps Canucks rally, push Preds to brink of eliminationThe Global Security InitiativeParis 2024: USA to meet Serbia as basketball draw madeThe Global Security InitiativeRevival of vinyl records spares a 77iQIYI signs strategic partnership with Tourism Authority of ThailandChina marks 120th birth anniversary of late senior CPC leaderNanjing Massacre victims remembered ahead of Qingming FestivalChelsea defender Cucurella replaces injured Gaya in Spain squad