With great joy of the hosts, Pope Francis was received in Hungary. The head of the Catholic Church reached Budapest at the start of his 41st trip abroad. He was greeted at the airport by top Hungarian politicians and clerics. As a welcome gift, two children dressed in traditional clothes presented him with bread and salt, as is customary in Central Europe.
After the official welcome ceremony with Hungarian President Katalin Novak in the Sandor Palace in the historic Castle District and a few bilateral meetings, such as with Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the pontiff addressed his hosts in his first major speech at noon.
He spoke to representatives of the Hungarian government and civil society on issues such as Europe and migration. He subtly combined his remarks with references to Hungarian history and tradition. In all the clearer words he promoted the “dream of a united Europe” and called for humane treatment of migrants and refugees.
“Working on safe and legal ways as Europe”
Francis called for finding ways and means to welcome those fleeing conflict, poverty and climate change in Europe. The issue of migration and flight is an issue that will affect everyone sooner or later. “It is therefore 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, but must be accepted.”
He also emphasized the need for openness to others. Europe is of fundamental importance, especially in the context of the current world situation, and should “unite the excluded, welcome the peoples within and leave no one as an enemy forever”. In this context, he warned that “nationalisms are surging up again” – he often even has the impression that politics is more likely to stir up emotions than to solve problems.
Francis’ speech had been eagerly awaited. Observers anticipated statements that could be seen as cautiously critical of the right-wing populist Prime Minister Orban. Hungary’s laws on migration and refugees are often at odds with international and EU law. In principle, it is not possible for people seeking protection who have reached Hungarian territory to apply for asylum.
“Where are the creative peace efforts?”
Russia’s war against Ukraine also played a role during the first day of the Pope’s visit. The pontiff 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. “One has the impression of witnessing the sad demise of the common dream of peace, while the lone fighters of war are gaining ground.” For the first time since Russia’s attack on Ukraine, Francis is in a country directly adjacent to the war zone.
Francis later met with bishops, priests and consecrated persons in St. Stephen’s Basilica. Jozsef Brenner spoke alongside the chairman of the Hungarian Bishops’ Conference, Andras Veres. He is the brother of the Hungarian priest Janos Brenner (1931-1957), who was murdered in 1957 in the course of the communist persecution of the church and beatified as a martyr in 2018. Francis then addressed his words with a sermon to those present.
It is the pontiff’s second visit to Hungary. In 2021 he was in Budapest to close the World Eucharistic Congress with a solemn Mass. Before leaving, Pope Francis said he wanted to “continue and round off” his earlier visit. He sees the trip as an opportunity to see again a church and a people that he says are very close to his heart.
The Pope’s current apostolic journey is the first since his recent hospitalization. On the first day, however, the 86-year-old was quite cheerful. At the airport, he got off the plane and walked, not in a wheelchair, to get around. Even at his appointments afterwards, he walked with his cane and gave his speech standing up. A knee problem has been bothering him for a long time.
