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.
Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. to lead Indianapolis 500 field in Corvette pace car
Freiburg's Gregoritsch strikes late to sink West Ham
China's Li wins two golds at IWF World Cup
This congresswoman was born and raised in Ukraine. She just voted against aid for her homeland
Ship that caused Baltimore bridge collapse has been refloated
Harbin's wintry success on display
Stuart Skinner gets 1st postseason shutout as Oilers beat Kings 1
Stuart Skinner gets 1st postseason shutout as Oilers beat Kings 1
Travis Kelce downs whiskey shot on slice of bread at Kelce Jam without Taylor Swift
Int'l travel expo kicks off in Macao