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. |
Andy Cohen says 'outrage culture' has changed Real Housewives franchiseRafael Nadal shows he's not quite ready for retirement in a comeback win at the Italian OpenPartner of pregnant Hollyoaks star Frankie JulesBrave motherDemocratic exJodie TurnerMaryland governor signs bill to rebuild Pimlico, home of the Preakness StakesMadonna calls her children her 'ride or dies' after wrapping up The Celebration Tour with recordGovernor says he won't support a bill that could lead to $3M in assistance to striking workersSouth Sudan mediation talks launched in Kenya with a hope of ending conflict