The Holy Father responded to the congratulations and support of the Hungarian President.Continue reading
More than 1,500 Hungarian pilgrims arrived at the Jubilee of Youth, where on Wednesday, Kornél Fábry, auxiliary bishop of Esztergom-Budapest, celebrated Mass at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside The Walls in Rome.
In addition to Kornél Fábry, about sixty other priests, mostly Hungarian, concelebrated, including László Böcskei, Bishop of Oradea. In connection with the motto of the 2025 Jubilee Year, “Pilgrims of Hope,” Fábry spoke about what gives hope to young Catholics today.
He listed seven points that help dispel fears and strengthen hope in our highly performance-oriented age, full of uncertainty and anxiety, where “nothing is ever enough.” Fábry mentioned God’s unconditional love, prayer as a source of strength, the welcoming power of the Christian community, the presence of providence, the example set by the saints who live among us today, and the mission of Christian life.
The basilica was filled with young people who had come from various dioceses across the country, wearing T-shirts decorated with crosses and the word “Hungary,” and holding Hungarian flags. A large delegation from Transylvania was also present at the Hungarian Mass.
The packed basilica resounded with Hungarian songs and music. The group from Pannonhalma entered the papal basilica carrying a Hungarian flag with the inscription “Pax” (peace), while the young people from Eger brought guitars with them.
Due to their age, they did not participate in the last youth meeting, which was led by the late John Paul II in the Holy Year 2000, but many said that they had already attended other international youth meetings and were also present at the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest in 2021.
According to the Vatican, 100,000 young people attended the opening Mass on Tuesday evening in St. Peter’s Square. The Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, head of the Dicastery for Evangelization responsible for organizing the Jubilee of Youth event. At the end of the Mass, Pope Leo XIV greeted the young crowd with impromptu words as he passed among them in the popemobile.
We hope that all of you will always be signs of hope in the world,”
said the head of the Church. He added that the young people who came to the Jubilee of Youth represent a force that brings light to the city of Rome and the whole world. “And our cry must also be for peace in the world. Let us all say together: We want peace in the world! Let us pray for peace,” said the Holy Father.
The Hungarian youth who came to the event were also present at the Mass on Tuesday evening. Among the Hungarian groups are members of the Dominican, Franciscan, Piarist, and Salesian communities. Some made the journey to Rome by bicycle.
On August 1, the young pilgrims will be at the Circus Maximus on Reconciliation Day, and on the evening of August 2, Pope Leo XIV will welcome them at an open-air vigil in Tor Vergata, on the outskirts of the Italian capital. On August 3, the head of the Church will celebrate Mass for the young people at the same location.
Via MTI, Featured image: Facebook/Szegedi Katolikus Egyetemi Lelkészség