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.
Young Boys seals 6th Swiss soccer league title in 7 years after rallying from firing coach Wicky
Hamas says UNSC resolution demanding Gaza truce shows Israel's isolation
State Council meeting studies policies to sustain economic recovery
Xi encourages customs workers to better serve nation
Investigators return to Long Island home of Gilgo Beach serial killing suspect
Mexican president accuses U.S., Canada of ambiguous stance on Ecuador
Mainland spokesperson rebukes DPP for selling out Taiwan people
China's top political advisor stresses efforts in rural revitalization
Everybody may love Raymond, but Ray Romano loves Peter Boyle
Cam Rising plays in Utah's spring football game after missing 2023 season with knee injury
Kosovo prepares a new draft law on renting prison cells to Denmark after the first proposal failed
China honors promise to ensure smooth running of Chengdu Universiade: Xi