SW News: We need a Church that is fluent in the language of charity, that universal language which everyone can hear and understand, even those who are not believers, said the Holy Father in his discourse in St Elizabeth Church in Budapest on Saturday, April 29. He was addressing close to 600 poor people, refugees from Africa, Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan apart from members of Caritas Hungary.
Pope Francis alluded to the popular saint of Hungary, St Elizabeth who spoke the language of charity. He said the saint was inspired by St Francis of Assisi and was transformed by her encounter with Jesus so much that she rejected worldly riches to serve the poor and the sick, including lepers whom she carried on her shoulders. The pontiff said that St Elizabeth was the epitome of charity.
He reminded the congregation that the encounter with the poor and the witness of each one’s life complements the faith. The pope said that charity goes much beyond material help. It is something regarding the whole individual. “It strives to put people back on their feet with the love of Jesus: a love that helps them to recover their beauty and their dignity. It is not enough to provide bread to fill stomachs; we need to fill people’s hearts!” he said.

Pope Francis also expressed gratitude to the Hungarian Church for its magnanimity and a whole range of activities to promote charity. “You have built up a network that links pastoral workers, volunteers, parish and diocesan Caritas organizations, while also engaging prayer groups, communities of believers, and organizations belonging to other confessions, yet united in the ecumenical fellowship that is born of charity,” said the pontiff. He also lauded the Church in the Central European nation for generously welcoming refugees from Ukraine.