Pope Francis recently said in a radio interview that he did not know whether his visit to Hungary, which lasted only a few hours, would lead to a meeting with Prime Minister Viktor Orban. But yesterday it took place in Budapest.
The date was eagerly awaited by experts because the Pope and the right-wing conservative head of government take opposing positions on the issue of migration. Francis repeatedly calls for help for refugees. Hungary, on the other hand, has an anti-migration policy.
According to the Vatican, the conversation was about the role of the Church in Hungary, its commitment to environmental protection and the defense and promotion of the family. The topic of migration was left out.
- Video: ORF correspondent Ernst Gelegs on the Pope’s visit to Hungary.
At a meeting with representatives of other Christian churches and Judaism, Francis called for the fight against anti-Semitism.
Respect and openness
This is “a fuse that has to be extinguished”. The “God of the Covenant”, to whom Christians and Jews refer with the Bible, “does not want alliances with one at the expense of the other, but rather people and communities that are bridges of communion with all”. It is up to those responsible for the majority religions “to create the conditions in this country so that religious freedom is respected and promoted for everyone”.
At the closing mass of the 52nd World Eucharistic Congress with 100,000 believers, Francis urged the believers in Hungary to show respect and openness. “My wish is that you may be like this: firm and open, rooted and respectful,” said the head of the church on Heroes’ Square in Budapest.
A little later the Holy Father traveled on to Slovakia. He will stay there until Wednesday.
