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.
Investigators return to Long Island home of Gilgo Beach serial killing suspect
United Airlines flight is forced to DIVERT after a dog POOPED in first class aisle
I'm a female solo traveller... here are THREE European cities I wished I'd skipped
Devout Christian doctor, 68, who punched dementia
Biden pledges 'relentless diplomacy' on global challenges
Tale of the state pension underpaid for 20 YEARS: This is Money podcast
Revealed: The pernickety passport rules Brits NEED to know before the Easter getaway
Sweden beats France, Britain relegated after losing to Norway at hockey worlds
World's biggest bridges revealed after collapse of colossal Baltimore landmark