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
China Beat S. Korea in AFC Women's Asian Cup Final
China's Gu Ailing Qualifies for Freeski Big Air Final at Beijing 2022
Zero Tolerance for Sexual Assault Against Minors: Top Procuratorate
Brazil replaces injured goalkeeper Ederson in Copa America squad
Winter Paralympic Torch Relay Held in Beijing's Olympic Forest Park
China Records 130 Mln Passenger Trips in Spring Festival Holiday
Shanghai Promotes Community Libraries
Storms damage homes in Oklahoma and Kansas. But in Houston, most power is restored
Beijing Ready for 2022 Winter Olympics
Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Maryland ban on rifles known as assault weapons
China Launches Campaign Against Women, Child Trafficking