Pope Francis takes off as he begins trip to Luxembourg and Belgium

Pope Francis took off from Rome's Fiumicino airport to pay a rare visit to Luxembourg before heading to Brussels on Thursday to discuss Europe's role in the world.

The head of the Catholic Church will address Luxembourg authorities and meet a few hundred faithful at Notre-Dame Cathedral, during an eight-hour stay in the wealthy financial services hub. Francis will also greet members of the public in the streets of the capital during a popemobile tour under tight security.