The Hungarian people received the Pope for a three-day visit on Friday, April 28. Although it is a spiritual journey, due to the country’s political context, its agenda will be marked by the war in Ukraine.

Among the Pope’s activities was a meeting with the Hungarian Prime Minister who longs for peace in Ukraine without interfering with its ties with Moscow. The pontiff and minister Viktor Orban have different positions on immigration, the latter with harsh criticism.

Good results are expected from this visit, as the Catholic Church in Hungary has assisted displaced victims of the war. In Hungary, 61% of its 10M inhabitants are Christian.

Religion News:

“According to the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, more than 2.5 million Ukrainian refugees have crossed the border into Hungary since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022.

Although widely known and criticized for its strict anti-immigration policies, Orbán’s government pledged to help Ukrainian refugees in the country. The Catholic Church in Hungary has also provided support, mobilizing relief efforts for displaced men, women, and children.”

During his rule, Orban received Ukrainian immigrants but denied entry to non-Europeans. This is one of the reasons why Hungary’s prime minister received harsh criticism since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.

You can continue reading about the pope’s visit and expectations here.

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