Hungarian President Invites Pope Francis To Visit Budapest In 2016
- 23 Sep 2013 9:04 AM
Pope Francis blessed President János Áder at the Vatican on 20 September 2013, and during a brief audience they reportedly discussed access to clean water as being the major challenge facing the world today. Regarding a visit to Hungary, Áder is quoted as saying, "The date that I proposed was 2016, because it will be the 1700 anniversary of the birth of Saint Martin of Tours. He was born in modern-day Hungary, and he enjoys a great deal of popularity and following in Hungary."
Both leaders reportedly exchanged gifts, President Áder gave a Hungarian version of the 'Letters of St. Paul' dating from the 1500's, plus a 1920's chalice. In return he received a glass container symbolically filled with clean water, which Pope Francis used to bless the Hungarian head of state.
Áder took the opportunity to introduce his family, his wife and four children, and also apparently Pope Francis met a delegation of government officials from Hungary.
More from the source: RomeReports
Photo: MTI / Beliczay László
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