Hungarian Opinion: On Pope Francis Celebrating Mass in Budapest

  • 10 Sep 2021 6:50 AM
  • BudaPost
Hungarian Opinion: On Pope Francis Celebrating Mass in Budapest
An independent analyst acknowledges the divergences between the Pontiff and the Hungarian government on migration, but suggests that this is not the reason why the Pope will only stay in Hungary for a few hours.

Pope Francis will arrive in Budapest next Sunday to celebrate the closing mass of the International Eucharistic Congress. Before the mass, he will briefly meet President Áder and PM Orbán, then immediately thereafter will leave for a three-day visit to Slovakia.

On the Válasz website, András Stumpf dismisses the widespread allegation that the Pope plans such a short visit to Hungary in order to express his disapproval of the policies of the Hungarian government on migration.

He admits that the Pope has been highly critical of border fences and other hurdles to the reception of asylum seekers, but quotes insider sources who maintain that the Vatican is not particularly interested in Hungarian politics.

An earlier version of the theory on the Pope’s intention to teach the Hungarian government a lesson mistakenly claimed that Francis was even unwilling to meet Hungary’s leaders, but that turned out to be pure speculation, Stumpf remarks. In reality, popes only rarely attend Eucharistic Congresses in person, so the analyst considers the Pontiff’s presence in Budapest a diplomatic success for the Hungarian Catholic Church and the country as a whole.

As for the 3-day-long visit he will pay to Slovakia, Stumpf believes it is the fruit of the presence of Slovak ecclesiastical dignitaries in the Pope’s staff, whereas no Hungarian bishops have been in key positions in the Vatican for years.
 

This opinion does not necessarily represent the views of XpatLoop.com or the publisher.

Your opinions are welcome too - for editorial review before possible publication online. 

Click here to Share Your Story

Related links

Pope Francis To Visit Hungary

  • How does this content make you feel?

XpatLoop Media Partner

BudaPost

Launched in May 2011 to provide a balanced picture of matters covered in Hungary’s national press. Their aim is to make it easier for English-speakers to understand where this country is now and where it’s heading according to the full spectrum of media opinions.

Explore More Reports

  • Xpat Explainer: 15 March Commemoration of 1848 Hungarian Revolution

    Xpat Explainer: 15 March Commemoration of 1848 Hungarian Revolution

    • 11 Mar 2024 7:13 AM

    The Hungarian Revolution of 1848 was one of many of the European Revolutions that year, and was closely linked to other 1848 revolutions in the Habsburg areas. The revolution in the Kingdom of Hungary grew into a war for independence from the Austrian Empire, ruled by the Habsburg monarchy.

  • Expat Explainer: Christmas Day Customs in Hungary

    Expat Explainer: Christmas Day Customs in Hungary

    • 20 Dec 2023 2:06 PM

    In Hungary a key element of celebrating Christmas is the traditional custom of the Bethlehem Shepherd’s play (betlehemes játék). The present-day version of the Bethlehem folk play originates from the 19th-20th century, although it may date back as far as the medieval times.