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. |
Keeping focused vital against Guam, says Chinese midfielderChinese national among dead in Bangkok mall shootingXi Focus: Xi Stresses Youth, Solidarity, Inclusiveness in Vision for Shared FuturePeng Liyuan Meets Indonesian First LadyPrehistoric reptile fossil found in China's Three Gorges areaDomestic travel agencies suspend all tours to IsraelNine trucks arrive in Russia on trial run of new highway connecting China, Mongolia and RussiaHighlights of CBA 5th round matchChina leads gold tally as teenage diver Quan shines at Tokyo OlympicsHighlights of Australian Open women's singles first round