Pope Francis begins a visit to Hungary and then Slovakia today. It will be the 84-year-old’s second trip abroad this year – and 34th overall. The head of the Catholic Church plans to celebrate Mass in the Hungarian capital of Budapest at the conclusion of the International Eucharistic Congress and travel to Bratislava, Slovakia, on the same day.
In Budapest, Francis will also meet with Hungarian head of government Viktor Orban. With his commitment to refugees, Francis is in a sense a counterweight to the conservative Orban, who likes to see himself as the defender of “Christian Europe” against migration and liberalism. After the meeting with Orban, the Argentine wants to celebrate Mass in Heroes’ Square. A tour in the Papa-mobile is also planned. Afterwards, Francis will make his way to Bratislava. In the evening, he plans to meet representatives of ecumenism in Slovakia and members of the Jesuits. The pope returns to Rome on Wednesday.
- source: k.at/picture: pixabay.com
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