Valentina di Giorgio
(ZENIT News / Vatican City, 27.02.2023).- On Monday, February 27, the spokesman of the Holy See Press Office confirmed that Pope Francis will undertake a pastoral journey to Budapest, the capital of Hungary, from April 28-30.
Although there was talk of this trip as a possibility the previous week, its confirmation underlined the element of surprise, as the Pope already visited Hungary and his going there again was not mentioned in the last interview with the Pontiff, among the countries to visit in 2023. When the Holy Father’s trip was confirmed, the Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest issued a press statement signed by Cardinal Peter Erdö, in which he stated:
The whole community of the Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest is delighted to know that Pope Francis will visit our country from April 28-30, 2023. Budapest will be the place of meeting with the Holy Father, which is a particular joy for all of us. We are expecting priests, faithful and pilgrims both from Hungary as well as from abroad. May our meeting with the Successor of Saint Peter be a decisive step on the path we follow together to Christ. Oh God, support our Holy Father, the Vicar of Christ!
The Pontiff’s schedule includes a courtesy visit to the country’s President, a meeting with the Prime Minister and with the Diplomatic Corps, as well as a meeting with the Episcopate, with priests, nuns, seminarians and pastoral agents, a visit with children in an Institute, a meeting with the poor and refugees, a meeting with young people and with the University world as well as that of culture.
With the confirmation of this trip, the Pope’s schedule of trips for 2023 is as follows:
Budapest, Hungary – April 2023
Lisbon, Portugal – August 2023
Marseilles, France – September 2023
Mongolia (to be confirmed)
