SW News: On the first day of his Apostolic Visit to Hungary, the Holy Father Pope Francis said that it is vital to “recover the European spirit: the excitement and vision of its founders who were statesmen able to look beyond their own times, beyond national boundaries”. He made this appeal while addressing the nation’s authorities, civil society and members of the diplomatic corps at the former Carmelite Monastery in Budapest on Friday, April 28.

Hailing Budapest as the city of bridges and saints, he said the Hungarian capital’s splendor was connected to the modern period despite its ancient origins. He said the city was born during a time of peace and it has gone through its fair share of afflictions with the most recent being World War II. Referring to the establishment of modern Budapest 150 years ago, the pontiff said the birth of this great capital city in Europe is an invitation to all to contemplate the unification undertaken by the continent in which Hungary has a significant contribution to make.

"In the post-war period, Europe, together with the United Nations, embodied the noble hope that, by working together for a closer bond between nations, further conflicts could be avoided", said Pope Francis. He then directed his thoughts to saints who have a profound influence on the spirit of the nation. The Holy Father referred to St Stephen who paved the way for the Christianization of the Central European nation. "St Stephen displays an authentic Christian spirit when he declares that 'the practice of love leads to supreme happiness'." He also recalled the heroic faith and mettle of Hungarian heroes such as Cardinal Joszef Mindszenty, Blessed Laszlo Batthyany Strattmann and Blessed Zoltan Lajos Meszlenyi.

Citing the Hungarian constitution, the pope affirmed the need to have an openness towards others.

"Those who profess themselves, Christian, in the company of the witnesses of faith, are called to bear witness to and to join forces with everyone in cultivating a humanism inspired by the Gospel and moving along two fundamental tracks: acknowledging ourselves to be beloved children of the Father and loving one another as brothers and sisters."