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. |
Cambodia's Supreme Court upholds the 2Antetokounmpo sits, Lillard returns as Bucks face Pacers in Game 6 of playoff seriesNOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn't happen this weekNorwegian Islamist wanted over deadly shooting at LGBTQ+ festival is being sent back from PakistanSavanier scores sweet volley then gets red card as Montpellier beats ToulouseUK local elections: Boris Johnson turned away after forgetting photo IDFrench police peacefully remove proGerman foreign minister says Russia will face consequences for monthslong cyber espionageTight league title races play out across European soccer. Belgium aims for more epic lastKenya president postpones reopening of schools as flood