Francis receives pilgrims from Hungary

Inese Steinert – Vatican City

The Holy Father greeted the Primate of the Church of Hungary, Cardinal Peter Erdjo, the President of the Bishops’ Conference Andras Veres, all the present bishops, priests, consecrated people and lay people, as well as the civil authorities, among them the new President of Hungary, Tamáš Šujok.

“Your pilgrimage takes place one year after my apostolic journey in Hungary, which I carry in my heart with great gratitude,” said the Pope. He remembered the beautiful city of Budapest, a land of many saints, where he had gone as a pilgrim to pray with the Hungarians for Europe, for “wanting to build peace so that the new generations have hope, not a future of war; a future full of cradles, not graves; a world of brothers, not walls” (Regina Coeli, April 30, 2023). At that time, Francis prayed for the Hungarian people, who have been living in this land for a thousand years and making it fruitful with the Gospel of Christ. The Holy Father wished that Hungarians would be able to find strength and determination in prayer to follow the example of the saints and blessed ones who have grown up in this nation, even in the current historical context.

The resurrected one, appearing among his disciples, gave them peace. The Pope called not to forget that the realization of this great dream begins in each of our hearts. It begins in front of the door of our house, when we decide before leaving whether we want to live this day as a man or a woman of peace, that is, whether we want to live it in peace with others. Peace is born when I choose to forgive, even when it’s hard, and it fills my heart with joy.

The Pope repeatedly bequeathed the Hungarian Church to the patronage of the Virgin Mary – “Magna Domina Hungarorum”, Saint Stephen, Saint Ladislaus, Saint Elizabeth, Saint Emeric and all the saints and blessed ones, so that it may grow in zeal to witness and to preach with joy. Francis recalled that during his visit to Hungary, he called on members of the Church’s clergy to adopt “God’s style” of tenderness, intimacy and compassion. He repeated this call this time as well, stating that the adoption of “God’s style” is helped by the example of the martyrs of the new times, among them the blessed bishops and martyrs Vilmor Apor and Zoltan Meshleny, as well as the young priest Janosz Brenner and nun Sara Šalkahazy.

Addressing the Hungarian pilgrims, the Pope called for a dialogue with grandparents – to talk with their grandfathers and grandmothers, as well as with other elderly people, to search for the roots of their nation in order to build a strong foundation for the future. “By preserving the roots, you will be able to look to the future with confidence, strengthen the values ​​that give life, including family, unity, peace,” said Francis. He also remembered his meeting with people who are suffering – with refugees, poor people and outcasts. The Bishop of Rome thanked the Hungarian people for opening their hearts to Ukrainian refugees and praised their efforts to integrate those living on the margins of society.

“Dear brothers and sisters,” the Pope said at the end of his address, “thank you for your closeness and love! Let’s walk together on the Lord’s path as “Easter” men and women, recognizing Him in the breaking of bread, in the Eucharist and in the feast of the hungry; In word and meeting others. Thank you for your faithfulness to Christ, which is indicated by the testimony of faith and the ecumenism practiced in life; relations with neighbors, welcoming neighborly love even towards those who are different; respect for every human life and responsible care for the environment.”

At the end of the meeting, the Pope blessed the Hungarian pilgrims, wished them the protection of Our Lady and invited them to pray for themselves.