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. |
Taylor Swift fan Ina Garten, 76, reveals even SHE struggled to buy Eras Tour ticketsQueen Letizia of Spain, Queen Maxima and Crown Princess Amalia of The Netherlands colour coGuardians acquire rightLockdown lifts at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota after report of a single gunshotFans hail new drama miniseries as a 'masterclass in acting' and demand star is given an EmmyCoffee in North Korea: It’s not just for capitalists anymore — Radio Free AsiaStarling Marte's HR keys surging Mets to sweep of Pirates with 9Bizarre $1,000 ballet flat sneakers take the fashion world by stormUS reimposes oil sanctions on Venezuela ahead of electionLockdown lifts at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota after report of a single gunshot