Pope Francis stated that last April he visited Hungary “as a pilgrim, brother, friend” and that he “carries his apostolic journey in his heart with gratitude”.
I went to Budapest, the beautiful city of bridges and saints, as a pilgrim to pray with you for Europe, for the desire to build peace, to offer future generations a future of hope, not war; a future full of cradles and not graves; a world full of brothers and not walls!
– said the head of the church.
Photo: Angelo Carconi / Source: MTI/EPA-ANSA
He added that he prayed during his apostolic visit
“for your beloved nation, which has inhabited that region for a thousand years, fertilizing it by preaching and living the Gospel of Christ”.
He asked Hungarians to find strength and determination in prayer, so that even in the current historical circumstances, “you can follow the example of the saints and blessed ones who have sprung from your people.”
He entrusted the life of the Hungarian Church to Mary, the Great Lady of the Hungarians, and asked for the intercession of Saint Stephen, Saint László, Saint Elizabeth and Saint Imre.
He named Vilmos Boldog Apor, Zoltán Meszlényi, János Brenner, and Sára Salkaházi as role models from the recent period of church persecution.
He emphasized the meeting held with young people in Budapest, stressing that the dialogue between generations and the nurturing of roots strengthen the values that give life, the family, unity, and peace.
He thanked the Hungarians for welcoming Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war “with an open heart” and for making efforts to integrate those living on the fringes of society.
He believed that the Hungarian proverb “it is better to give than to receive” – which he said in Hungarian – sums up the Gospel teaching well.
God, bless the Hungarians!
Pope Francis concluded his speech in Hungarian, asking for the protection of the Virgin Mary for Hungarians. Pray for me too, not against me – he said jokingly.
Tags: Pope Francis greeted members Hungarian National Pilgrimage Hungarian
