HUNGARY: Pope Francis urged Hungarians to “open doors” to refugees, despite Hungary’s anti-immigration cabinet. The pontiff described it as “sad and painful” to see doors closed to people who were “unlike us” during an outdoor mass in Budapest. Viktor Orban, the prime minister, built a barbed-wire border fence to prevent refugees from entering Hungary.
Pope Francis urged everyone to be more open, especially those who have civic and political responsibilities. He referred to the closed doors of our selfishness towards those who are foreign or unlike us, migrants or the poor.
The 86-year-old pontiff prayed for a future of hope, not war, for the victims of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. He also prayed for the people of Ukraine and Russia.
Pope Francis then claimed that the Vatican was taking part in a peace mission to try to put an end to the war on his journey home. “Although it is not yet public, a mission is currently underway. I will make it known once it is open to the public,” he assured reporters.
According to the Pope, the Vatican is prepared to assist in facilitating the repatriation of Ukrainian children who have been deported to Russia since the invasion.
Kyiv claims that thousands of Ukrainian youngsters have been transported to Russia. The Pope had spoken with Viktor Orban, the Hungarian Prime Minister and a leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, about the war in Ukraine.
Pope Francis made his first significant trip to Hungary in the past ten years during the three-day stay. The war in Ukraine was what initially drew the correspondent to Zelensky-led nation, which is separated from Hungary by a 134-kilometre (85 mi) border.
Hungarian PM Orban has maintained connections with Vladimir Putin and has declined to support military help for Ukraine. The Pope spoke with members of society during his visit to Hungary, including young people, the underprivileged, politicians, and academics.
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