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

VATICAN CITY (AP) — 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 flock in onetime bastions of Christianity.

Francis landed Thursday morning amid blustery weather 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 flight from Rome.

“I don’t feel up to the trip. I’ll greet you from here,” he said, referring to the trip down the aisle. The Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, said the decision was due to the aircraft having just a single aisle and the short duration of the flight, and was not a reflection of Francis’ health.