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. |
Sophie Trudeau gives Meghan the cold shoulder: ExWuhan notches season's first home win in Chinese Super LeagueSaints fill need at offensive tackle, add depth at cornerback and QB during NFL draftBaird scores a goal, assists on another by Acosta to help Cincinnati beat Rapids 2NHS set to ban trans women from femaleConservative MP Dan Poulter defects to Labour in the latest blow to Rishi SunakFTSE 100 chiefs claim they are hardLisowski upsets Ding in Crucible thrillerWorld's best city can't have four more years of its worstThe Cowboys passed on running back in the NFL draft. A reunion with Ezekiel Elliott might be next