During his three-day visit to Hungary, Pope Francis sometimes found clear words in relation to migration and refugees as well as Europe. At a mass in the capital, Budapest, the head of the Catholic Church called on the faithful to be open. “Please: Let’s open the doors!” Said Francis, looking at strangers and migrants. This appeal could be interpreted as criticism of right-wing populist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s policy of sealing off those seeking protection.
On Sunday, at the climax of his pilgrimage, the pontiff criticized the “closed doors to strangers, to others, to migrants, to the poor” in front of thousands of believers and representatives of the Hungarian state leadership.
Francis’ public appearances in Hungary had been eagerly awaited. The 86-year-old Argentine was in a country directly adjacent to the war zone for the first time since Russia attacked Ukraine. With regard to Orban, observers had already expected statements that could be viewed as cautiously critical.
Pope speaks of “epochal challenges”
On the first day of the visit, Francis spoke of the “dream of a united Europe” and called for humane treatment of migrants and refugees. He called for ways and means to be found to accommodate those fleeing conflict, poverty and climate change in Europe. It is “urgent that we as Europe work on safe and legal ways, on common mechanisms in the face of an epochal challenge that cannot be contained by rejection.”
During his pilgrimage, the pontiff once again found clear words about Russia’s war against Ukraine. Francis called for concrete efforts for peace. “I ask myself, also with a view to the tormented Ukraine: Where are the creative peace efforts? Where are they?” he said on Friday. On Sunday, too, he recalled the “tormented neighboring Ukrainian people and the Russian people” and pleaded for a “future of hope and not war” and a “world of brotherhood and not walls”.
On the return flight from Budapest to Rome, Francis also vaguely hinted that the Vatican is involved in a peace initiative in this regard. “Everyone wants a way to peace. I’m willing to do whatever it takes.” A mission is currently running, but it is not yet public. “When the time comes, I can comment on it,” he said late Sunday evening. He campaigned to maintain diplomatic relations and always keep in touch in order to look for ways to peace together.
On the fringes of his official appointments, there were also unexpected meetings. On Saturday, Francis met a representative of the Russian Orthodox Church – Metropolitan Hilarion of Budapest and Hungary. He later received the green-liberal Budapest mayor Gergely Karacsony, who is an important political opponent of Orban.
