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. |
New findings unveil stone processing practices of China's Liangzhu civilizationShaolin Kung Fu competition enthralls martial arts enthusiasts in OceaniaXuzhou Museum (II)Shutterbug in northeast China records growing winter sport popularityIce lantern festival kicks off in YanqingFuturistic scene of robots taking over backbreaking farm jobs on horizonGermany's Scholz calls for fair competition and warns against dumping during China visit2022 China International Travel Mart to launch in KunmingMaritime Silk Road art festival opens in QuanzhouMaritime Silk Road art festival opens in Quanzhou