Pope Francis arrived in Budapest this Sunday to begin his first major international tour since his bowel surgery in July, which also includes a stopover in Slovakia.
During the short visit, the Pope met with the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, and the country’s President, Janos Ader, during 40 minutes behind closed doors and without cameras.
The meeting lasted longer than expected, as a half-hour colloquium was expected in which the Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin and the Secretary for Relations with the Vatican States, Richard Gallagher, also participated.
In a statement it was explained from the Holy See that among the topics discussed was “the role of the Church in the country, the commitment to safeguard the environment, defense and promotion of the family.”
In this context he warned of “the threat of antisemitism that still meanders in Europe and elsewhere, “and claimed that” it is a wick that must be extinguished“.
“The best way to deactivate it is to work positively together, it is to promote fraternity,” added the pope, during a meeting with representatives of Christian confessions and Hungarian Jewish communities.
The pontiff arrived at the Budapest airport to begin his four-day journey. He will stay for seven hours on Sunday in the Hungarian capital and the remaining days in Slovakia.
In Budapest, Francisco will officiate the closing mass of the international conference on the Eucharist. He will also meet with the clergy as well as the President and Prime Minister of Hungary.
The Pope and Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Photo: AP
The organizers foresee an attendance of up to 75,000 people at the mass in Heroes’ Square that will be held under few restrictions due to the coronavirus despite the fact that Hungary, like the rest of Europe, registers many infections due to the highly contagious delta variant.
Despite the recommendations of the Hungarian Chamber of Physicians, the conference organizers decided not to require those who attend Mass to be vaccinated against COVID-19, get tested, wear masks or distancing themselves. However, they promised to distribute 30,000 masks and hand sanitizer, while asking attendees to comply with the recommended measures.
During his flight from Rome, Francisco appeared to be in good shape and greeted the 74 journalists in the back of the plane until a collaborator told him to return to his seat because they were about to land.
The Pontiff explained that traveling again is very important because “it takes the word and the greeting so many people. “
In addition, the Pope stressed that it is a flight of “farewells” since it will be the last trip with his master of ceremonies, Guido Marinr, who leaves the Vatican to be bishop in Italy, and the last flight with Alitalia, since in October will cease to exist and the new Italian flag company ITA will be born.
Francisco was happy to resume his tours abroad after a hiatus from the coronavirus and for his recovery this summer after having 33 centimeters of his colon removed. “Weed never dies”joked the pontiff.
Francis saw him in good spirits on his trip to Hungary. Photo: EFE
The Vatican and the organizers of the tour have stressed that Francis was invited to Hungary to officiate Mass, not for him to carry out his own state or pastoral visit unlike his trip to Slovakia.
With information from agencies
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