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Tens of thousands of people came to Budapest to listen to Pope Francis’ speech. He called on his audience to be “open” and “considerate.”
Prior to his four-day visit to Slovakia, Pope Francis met with Hungary’s anti-immigration prime minister, Viktor Orban.
During his visit to Hungary, which lasted only seven hours on Sunday, the Pope urged thousands of people gathered in Budapest’s vast Heroes’ Square. He hoped that they would be “rooted, open, rooted and considerate”.
The 1.3 billion Catholic leader often urges to help those on the margins of war and poverty and people of all religions.
Thousands of people crowded on the nearby main road, with screens and speakers installed along the street, while others watched from nearby balconies and other buildings.
“The Pope never says anything without reason. His words are carefully selected and convey a subtle message,” said 75-year-old Zsuzsanna Pusztai.
Hungary is loyal to its roots, but the pope pointed out that “the cross also invites us to open our arms, not to strengthen ourselves,” he said while celebrating the closing mass of the International Eucharist.
Francis met with Orban and other senior politicians.
“I ask Pope Francis not to let Christian Hungary perish,” Orban posted on his Facebook page and attached a photo of the two shaking hands.
Tomorrow i start mine #Apostle Journey Budapest and Slovakia. I ask everyone to accompany me in prayer. I entrusted this visit to the intercession of so many brave confessors of faith, who witnessed the gospel in those places amid hostilities and persecution.
-Pope Francis (@Pope) September 11, 2021
As a gift, Orbán gave the Pope a copy of a letter written by King Bella IV to Pope Innocent IV in 1250, asking for help against the Mongol fighters who threatened Christian Hungary.
The Vatican described the meeting as “kind”, saying that they discussed topics such as environmental protection and the promotion of the family.
There is no loss of love between Orban’s supporters and Catholic leaders. Pro-Orban media and politicians called Francis “anti-Christian” because of his pro-refugee sentiment.
Earlier, Francis told the Hungarian bishop that various ethnic and religious groups “turned the country into a multicultural environment” and provided “great opportunities.”
In contrast, Orban’s signature attacks on migrants include border fences and detention camps for asylum seekers.
At the end of the International Eucharist in Budapest’s Heroes’ Square, Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban and his wife Aniko Levay waited for the Pope’s arrival to celebrate Mass [Tiziana Fabi/ AFP]After the Pope arrived in Slovakia after visiting Hungary, he said that Europe needs to increase its sense of community and reduce division.
“If we…are not fully united and indifferent to each other, it is difficult to expect Europe to be more and more influenced and enriched by the gospel,” he said.
He said that without considering the fact that people in the region still have differences, it is difficult to call for a Europe that is more influenced by beliefs.
This is the first time the Pope has visited Slovakia in 18 years, and his itinerary is well arranged.
In addition to the official appointment, Pope Francis also plans to visit a residential area in Kosice, where thousands of Roma people live there despite difficult conditions. He will also stop in the small towns of Presov and Sustyn-Stratz.
Pope Francis (R) at the Universal Conference at the Pontifical Embassy in Bratislava, Slovakia on September 12 [AFP]
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