Pope prepares for visit to Hungary

Official logo of the papal visit

Source: Vatican News

Pope Francis is due to begin his three-day Apostolic Journey to Hungary on Friday.

During his three-day visit - the 41st official trip of his papacy - the Holy Father will visit refugees and poor people, as well as with children of the Blessed László Batthyány-Strattmann Institute.

Pope Francis will address authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps; young people; bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons, seminarians and pastoral workers; and representatives of the academic and cultural world.

More than half the population of Hungary are Christian, and at least 37 percent identify as Catholic.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, nearly one million Ukrainian nationals have travelled through Hungary as refugees, according to local sources.

During the Regina Coeli on Sunday, Pope Francis said the visit will take him to the heart of a Europe "upon which the icy winds of war continue to blow." He commented on the urgent humanitarian issues that have arisen due to the movement "of so many peoples."

At the same time, he noted that this Journey completes a previous visit to Budapest, in mid-September 2021, when he attended the International Eucharistic Congress being held in the city.

In preparation for the trip, today, (Wednesday) Pope Francis made a short visit the church of St Mary Major, where he prayed before the icon of Mary, 'Salus Populi Romani' invoking her protection for the upcoming Journey.

Read more about the history of the Catholic Church in Hungary: www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-04/an-overview-of-the-church-in-hungary.html