(ANSA) – VATICAN CITY, SEPTEMBER 26 – Pope Francis will leave this morning for his new apostolic journey, to Luxembourg and Belgium, in the heart of Europe. He will leave from Rome Fiumicino International Airport at 8:05 a.m. to arrive in Luxembourg at 10 a.m. A welcome ceremony will take place at Luxembourg-Findel International Airport. The Pope will be welcomed by Grand Duke Henri, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa Mestre and the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Luc Frieden. The Pope will then go to the Grand Ducal Palace for a courtesy visit to the Grand Duke. A meeting with the Prime Minister will take place in the same Palace. At 11:45 a.m., Pope Francis will move to the Cercle Cité, a historic building located in the heart of the city, and at 11:50 a.m. the meeting with the authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps will take place, with the Pontiff’s first speech. At the end, at 12:20 p.m., the Pope will move to the Archbishop’s House for lunch. The second official appointment is at 4:30 pm at Notre Dame Cathedral for the meeting with the Catholic community; here Pope Francis will deliver his second speech. At the end of the meeting he will move to the airport to depart, at 6:15 pm, for Brussels. The arrival at the Melsbroek Air Base is scheduled for 7:10 pm. At the welcome ceremony he will be welcomed by the sovereigns of Belgium Philippe and Mathilde. At 7:40 pm he will go to the Nunciature where he will conclude this first day of the international trip. (ANSA).
2024-09-26 18:35:23