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.
Trump accepts a VP debate but wants it on Fox News. Harris has already said yes to CBS
Philippines, US launch yearly large
Rafael Nadal poised for Laver Cup swansong in Berlin in September
A Palestinian baby in Gaza is born an orphan in an urgent cesarean section after an Israeli strike
Kevin Pillar gets 1,000th career hit in Angels' win at Texas
Fans fear for one Irwin 'family member' as she vanishes from their socials: 'What has happened?'
Taylor Swift's Fortnight music video reunites Dead Poets Society stars Ethan Hawke and Josh Charles
UK prime minister pushes for Rwanda deportation bill over objections from unelected upper chamber
Analysis: Larson enters conversation with Verstappen as best drivers in the world
Trump accepts a VP debate but wants it on Fox News. Harris has already said yes to CBS
Norway’s King Harald, Europe’s oldest monarch, is back at work after pacemaker implants