PARIS (AFP) ― Pope Francis will make his first visit to France in 2015, the Catholic newspaper La Croix reported on its website on Monday, citing several Vatican sources.
The report said Francis would visit Paris and Lourdes, where hundreds of thousands of Catholics flock every year because of its reputation as a healing shrine.
It has already been confirmed that the pope will visit the European Parliament in Strasbourg next month when he will address MEPs, but he is not expected to venture outside the EU buildings in the eastern French city.
La Croix said official confirmation of the wider trip to France could be given on Tuesday when details of the Nov. 25 visit to Strasbourg are announced.
Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi refused to comment on the report.
Francis was invited to France by President Francois Hollande when he visited the Vatican in January this year.
If confirmed, it would be the 10th papal visit to France. Francis’ predecessor Benedict XVI visited France in 2008, when he also made stops in Paris and Lourdes.
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
