VATICAN CITY - In a press release by the Holy See Press Office, Pope Francis has announced his departure from the Eternal City for his four day tour of Belgium and Luxembourg.

 The official announcement read:

 “Pope Francis' 46th International Apostolic Journey to Luxembourg and Belgium began this morning.

 Shortly after 7:00 a.m., a group of about ten homeless men and women, who find shelter at night under the colonnade of St. Peter's Square or in the streets around it, accompanied by Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, His Holiness' Elemosiniere, greeted Pope Francis at Casa Santa Marta before his departure.

 Then, the Holy Father was transferred by car to Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Rome-Fiumicino from where, at 8:29 a.m., he departed - aboard an A321 / ITA Airways - for Luxembourg.

 He is scheduled to land at Luxembourg-Findel International Airport at 10:00 a.m.”

tjpw