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Pope travels to the heart of Europe to appeal for peace and to boost his dwindling flock

Pope Francis arrives flanked by Queen Mathilde of Belgium and King Philippe of Belgium, at Melsbroek air base in Steenokkerzeel, near Brussels, on the first day of his four-day visit to Luxembourg and Belgium, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

LUXEMBOURG — Pope Francis called for Europe to be a beacon of peace in war and a welcome home for migrants and refugees as he arrived in the heart of the continent on Thursday to encourage the dwindling Catholic flock in a onetime bastion of Christianity.

Francis received a warm welcome as he landed in blustery weather that turned to rain in Luxembourg, the European Union’s second-smallest country and its richest per capita. The visit came after the 87-year-old pope canceled his audiences in recent days because of a slight flu.

Francis seemed in good form, though he skipped his traditional walk down the plane aisle to greet journalists during the trip from Rome. His spokesman said it was because of the short flight time and single aisle of the ITA aircraft, not for any health problems.

Francis was in Luxembourg for just a few hours before flying onto Belgium, where he is to stay through the weekend. There too immigration and peace — with a war raging on European soil — are expected to be on the agenda. Francis is also expected to meet with survivors of clergy sexual abuse, given the Belgian church's wretched record.

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