Francis in the heart of Hungarian people

One thing that stands out from the seven hours Francis spent in Budapest is that the Pope found his way into the hearts of Hungarians. He did so by expressing his words of greeting and gratitude in their language, which is not an easy one. He did so because after much controversy over the meeting with Prime Minister Orbán and with Hungary’s Authorities, there was an open dialogue despite the well known differences in viewpoints. He did so because at every appointment during his short trip, Francis let the Gospel speak, offering once again some key messages of his pontificate. He offered them to his listeners “from within”. He did not come to reprimand or scold. He gave value to the Hungarian people’s great attachment to Christian roots, and at the same time, he recalled that these roots are fruitful if they do not cause closure or ...