Vatican confirms pope intends to visit France in 2015, on top of planned Asian and US trips

His Holiness Pope Francis. Philip Chidell / Shutterstock

VATICAN CITY—The Vatican says Pope Francis will travel to France next year, as 2015 is shaping up as a busy travel year for the 77-year-old pontiff.

The Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi said Tuesday that a full-fledged state visit to France is planned, but he gave no details. Francis is also due to visit Sri Lanka and the Philippines in January and the United States in September.

The pope is due to make a one-day trip to Strasbourg on Nov. 25 next month to address the European Parliament, then travel to Turkey a few days later for a brief visit.