2023-04-29 13:39:02
Pope Francis visited Hungary for three days on the 28th.
This is Pope Francis’ visit to Hungary for the second time following last 2021.
In a speech to high-ranking Hungarian government officials, including President Catherine Novak and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, on the 29th, the Pope urged European unity to end the war in Ukraine.
The pro-Russian Hungarian government has been lukewarm regarding the war in Ukraine.
“Europe is very important at this historical juncture,” the Pope said.
The Pope also called for an end to the war in Ukraine to create a peaceful Europe and embrace migrants.
The Orban government, which is evaluated as a far-right populist leaning, has taken a tough stance on immigration.
Pope Francis met with Ukrainian refugees in Hungary on the 29th.
At the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, 2.5 million refugees entered Hungary, and it is known that regarding 35,000 remain today.
On the last day of his visit, on the 30th, the pope will preside over an outdoor mass in front of the Budapest parliament building.
Hungary has a relatively large proportion of Catholics in Eastern Europe with 37% of the total population.
VOA News
* This article referenced AP.
1682794472
#Pope #calls #European #unity #Hungary #war #Ukraine