Pope Francis met poor and refugees on the second day of his visit to Hungary. The head of the Catholic Church recalled the commandment and the language of charity on Saturday morning in Budapest’s Elisabeth Church near Ostbahnhof and again devoted himself to people on the fringes of society – the “excluded”.
Some told him their life stories. Among them was a Ukrainian who fled the Russian war of aggression in May 2022 with his wife and five children.
“I am glad to be here with you,” said the pontiff in front of the people. He also thanked the Hungarian Church for “taking in so many refugees who come from Ukraine.” He referred to the story presented by the Ukrainian refugee, who spoke of the “hospitality and friendliness of the Hungarians”. Francis emphasized the “generosity and enthusiasm” with which the people had been received.
Meeting also with Roma
The Hungarian government’s refugee policy is controversial in Europe. Hungary’s laws often conflict with international and EU law. In principle, it is not possible for people seeking protection who have reached Hungarian territory to apply for asylum. Ukrainians can enter the EU regularly because of the visa exemption that applies to them. For them, however, Hungary is almost always just a transit country.
In addition to the Ukrainian, who had already worked as a cook in Hungary when he was young, a single Roma woman, who now works for the Greek Catholic Church due to her own needs, and representatives of the Catholic homeless aid “Csak egyet ” (Only one). Finally, a Christian Roma band played music. Francis was then driven out of the church in a wheelchair to applause – the people presented him with gifts and sometimes let him bless them.
The 86-year-old had previously visited a social facility for children with visual impairments and physical or mental impairments in the morning. When Francis arrived, a choir greeted him. The Catholic facility offers around 70 children and young people the opportunity for education and training and a home.
