The Mass in front of the National Assembly in Budapest is the culminating event of the Pope's three day visit.Continue reading
András Veres, Bishop of Győr County, President of the Hungarian Catholic Bishops’ Conference (MKPK), called the three days of the Pope’s visit a “national celebration,” the impact of which will last for months and years to come.
Speaking at a press conference in Budapest on Tuesday on Pope Francis’ apostolic visit from 28-30 April, András Veres thanked the entire Hungarian press for its “honorable attitude” to the papal visit, highlighting the work of public television, which broadcast images of the three days’ events around the world.
He also thanked the government for its help, adding that the Church would not have been able to carry out the program without the government. In his assessment, the visit of the Pope was a fine and honorable example of cooperation between the Church and the State.
Tamás Tóth, secretary of the Bishops’ Conference, Bishop András Veres and Deputy PM Zsolt Semjén (Photo: MTI/Bruzák Noémi)
He stressed that the Holy Father’s words radiated confirmation of the key role played by Hungarians in Central Europe. The Hungarian Church’s task is to become a bridge between East and West, between a world that is losing its Christianity and Christianity, and to stand by the values of the Gospel under all circumstances.
Responding to a question, András Veres said the Holy Father’s knowledge of Hungarian history was impressive. In his view, Pope Francis had consciously invoked Hungarian saints, knowing that all peoples can be addressed most easily through their own ancestors and saints.
Featured photo via Facebook/Novák Katalin