SW News: In an interview with Vatican Media, the Vatican Secretary of State discussed the living faith of Hungary, pointing out that after overcoming the threats of communism, the faithful and, in particular, the young now face the seemingly more innocuous problems of materialism and consumerism.
According to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Pope Francis' three-day trip to Budapest will show his dedication to creating a more fraternal society in a Europe still recovering from the Russia-Ukrainian War and is going through the worst refugee crisis since the Second World War.
Cardinal Parolin stated that the papal visit would build a bridge between generations and nations. He added that the Holy Father's presence in Hungary encourages a greater commitment to peace.
While addressing the migrant crisis, the prelate praised the Hungarians for opening their borders to the fleeing migrants.
The cardinal says the Holy Father intends to continue and complete his previous visit to Budapest in September 2021 for the International Eucharistic Congress. And so the journey will be dedicated, for the most part, to meetings with the various groups of the Hungarian people.
During the three-day visit, public meetings are planned with civil authorities, the Clergy, Deacons, Consecrated Persons, and Pastoral Workers; with the marginalized, including refugees from neighboring Ukraine; with young people, and then with the world of culture. It is the second time the Pope will encounter the faithful at the "pearl of the Danube" during this apostolic journey after his visit in 2021 for the International Eucharistic Congress.