From the heart of Europe, where once imposing Gothic cathedrals stood and religious vocations flourished, Pope Francis confronts an uncertain future that is imposing essential changes on the

While in Belgium, Pope Francis will have to face a backlash against local church authorities amid child abuse scandals. The Vatican hopes the visit will also help the EU "rediscover its roots".

As Pope Francis begins his trip to Luxembourg and Belgium, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin says Europe is “increasing the risk of falling back into the tragic errors of those times.”

The congregation at the Don Bosco church solemnly took the holy host after it was blessed during a Sunday service by Nancy Speeckaert — a woman. Only a week earlier, to equal excitement, she had also blessed a wedding.

Pope Francis is traveling to once-strong bastions of Christianity in the heart of Europe to try to reinvigorate a Catholic flock that is dwindling in the face of secular trends

Pope Francis called Thursday for Europe to be a beacon of peace amid war and a welcome home for migrants as he arrived Thursday in the heart of the continent to encourage the dwindling Catholic flocks in onetime bastions of Christianity.

Pope Francis is urging Europe to be beacon of peace amid war and a welcome home for migrants. He made the appeal as he arrived Thursday in Luxembourg to encourage the dwindling Catholic flocks in onetime bastions of Christianity.