(ZENIT News / Vatican City-Budapest, 04.28.2023).Pope Francis’ 41st International Apostolic Journey, to Hungary, started on Frday morning, April 28, 2023.
Before leaving Casa Santa Marta, the Holy Father was greeted by fifteen homeless people who live near Saint Peter’s; he was accompanied by the Prefect of the Dicastery for Charity, His Eminence Cardinal Konrad Krajewski.
Then he went by car to the Rome-Fiumicino International Airport from where, at 8:21 am he left for Budapest on board a neo/ITA Airways A320.
Arrival in the Capital of Hungary
The plane landed in Ferenc Liszt International Airport of Budapest at 9:53 am.
On his arrival at the Ferenc Liszt Airport, the Holy Father was greeted by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Hungary, His Excellency Mr Zsolt Semjén. Two children, dressed in traditional costumes, offered him bread and salt.
After the introduction of local delegations, the Pontiff and Deputy Prime Minister went to the Airport’s VIP Lounge for a brief meeting.
Then Pope Francis went to the Sándor Palace for the Welcome Ceremony, the courtesy visit to the President of the Republic and a meeting with the Prime Minister.
Courtesy Visit to the President of Hungary
The Holy Father arrived at the Sándor Palace at 11:15 am, where the Official Welcome Ceremony took place.
On his arrival, the Pontiff was received by the President of the Republic of Hungary, Mrs Katalin Novák, in the Square in front of the Palace.
After the introduction of the respective Delegations, the honours to the flags, the singing of the hymns and the Guard of Honour, the Pope and the President went to the Imperial Room for the Official Photo and the Signing of the Book of Honour. Then they went to the Blue Room where, after the exchange of gifts, a private meeting was held and the presentation of the family.
At the same time, in the adjacent Room, a meeting took place between the Cardinal Secretary of State and the Prime Minister, in the presence of the Substitute of the State Secretariat, of the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, of the Apostolic Nuncio and of the Nunciature’s Adviser.
At the end of the courtesy visit, the President accompanied the Pope to the Maria Teresa Room, where a brief private meeting took place with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, and members of his family.
Then the Holy Father went to the Hall of the former Monastery of the Carmelites to meet with the Authorities, the Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps.
Meeting with the Civil Authorities and the Diplomatic Corps
At 12:50 pm, in the Hall of the former Monastery of the Carmelites of the Sándor Palace, Pope Francis met with the Political and Religious Authorities, Representatives of the Civil Society and of Culture and Members of the Diplomatic Corps.
After the address of the President of the Republic of Hungary, Mrs Katalin Novák, the Pontiff gave his address.
At the end of the meeting with the Authorities, accompanied by the President and the Prime Minister, the Holy Father went to the terrace located behind the former Convent of the Carmelites, from which the city of Budapest can be seen.
From there, the Holy Father went by car to the Apostolic Nunciature; on his arrival, he was received by the staff of the Pontifical Representation.
Meeting with Religious, Priests and Bishops
In the afternoon, after leaving the Apostolic Nunciature, Pope Francis went by car to the Co-Cathedral of Saint Stephen where, at 5:00 pm, he met with the Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Consecrated, Seminarians and Pastoral Agents. According to the local authorities, some 1,100 people were in the Co-Cathedral and 4,000 in the esplanade.
On his arrival, the Pope was received at the Church’s entrance by His Eminence Cardinal Péter Erdö, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, by the President of the Hungarian Episcopal Conference, H. E. András Veres, Bishop of Györ, and by the Parish Priest, who gave him the cross and holy water for the aspersion.
Then they went down together to the nave to the presbytery while a hymn was being sung. Two children gave the Pope a floral offering.
After the greeting of the President of the Episcopal Conference, a Catholic priest, a priest of the Greek-Catholic Church, a nun and a catechist gave their testimony. Then the Pontiff gave his address.
At the end, after praying the Our Father and the Final Blessing, the Holy Father greeted the Bishops individually and posed with them for a group photo, after which he returned by car to the Apostolic Nunciature, where he had a private dinner.
Translation of the Italian original into Spanish by ZENIT’s Editorial Director and, into English, by Virginia M .Forrester
