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. |
Indonesian police raid drug lab in Bali villaDr. Cyril Wecht, famed forensic pathologist who argued more than 1 shooter killed JFK, dies at 93British prime minister warns of 'axis of authoritarian states' in preCanadian wildfire smoke chokes upper Midwest for second straight yearLithuania elections: Incumbent president Nausėda wins first round of electionHoward University cancels graduation midAmazon's selfNotorious people smuggler wanted in Europe arrested in northern IraqChad's opposition leader challenges the results of the presidential electionsPolish activists criticize Tusk's government for tough border policies and migrant pushbacks