The potential pitfalls of a papal visit to Belgium

Belgium is hardly on Europe’s periphery, but it's still potentially rough terrain for a visit from Pope Francis

In an interview with a Mexican broadcaster aired Tuesday, Pope Francis announced that he intends to visit Belgium in 2024. 

Pope Francis, pictured on July 27, 2016. © Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk

The announcement was surprising, given that since his election Francis has shown a preference for visiting nations on Europe’s “peripheries,” beginning with Albania…