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.
Medics remove 150 MAGGOTS from a woman's mouth after dental procedure left her with rotting tissue
Xi Focus: Xi Says Confidence 'More Valuable Than Gold' in March Toward Rejuvenation
Xinjiang set to boost air trip business
Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. to lead Indianapolis 500 field in Corvette pace car
More than 641 million parcels delivered over Spring Festival holiday
China gathers pace in integrating new technologies into transportation sector
Travis Kelce downs whiskey shot on slice of bread at Kelce Jam without Taylor Swift
Xinjiang set to boost air trip business
Independent UN experts urge Yemen’s Houthis to free detained Baha'i followers
Xi to Attend Martyrs' Day Event to Pay Tribute to Fallen Heroes