Will the Pope visit Hungary?

Cardinal Péter Erdő,  Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest,  and András Veres, President of the Hungarian Catholic Bishops’ Conference, personally invited Pope Francis to Hungary, but the Pope did not give a clear answer whether or not he is planning to visit the country, writes nol.hu.

In an interview to Magyar Kurír András Veres, President of the Hungarian Catholic Bishops’ Conference has touched upon the question of Pope Francis’ visit to Hungary. The Pope was invited to Szombathely on the occasion of 2016 being the St Martin Memorial year. András Veres has recently returned from Rome where he attended the Fourteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops and had the opportunity to have a word with the Pope himself.

András Veres visited the Pope together with Cardinal Péter Erdő, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, and invited the Pope to visit Hungary. The Pope said neither yes nor no but he seemed to be interested in the question, said Veres, who was asked if they knew that the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral is also under the protection of St Martin. Veres emphasized that this is one reason they hope to receive the Pope in Hungary, so he can visit the place where St Martin was born. Veres also spoke to the head of the state secretariat who could give no answer yet.

János Áder, President of Hungary, met Pope Francis in September 2013 during a private audience.  The media reported that the Pope accepted Áder’s invitation to visit Hungary in 2016 to celebrate the 1700^th anniversary of St Martin’s birthday, who was born is Pannonia, but it was soon revealed that the Pope only said yes as an act of politeness.

The Pope’s 2016 Schedule is not yet completed so it would be impossible talk about a specific time when he can pay a visit to Hungary. After the Assembly of the Synod András Veres said that the Pope promised to give a clear answer by the end of 2015.
According to the information of nol.hu the chance that Pope Francis will visit Hungary in 2016 is minimal, but not because of the government’s or the episcopacy’s behaviour; it’s more likely that the thought of him visiting Hungary has not yet occurred seriously.

based on an article of nol.hu
translated by Adrienn Sain

Photo: https://www.flickr.com / Edgar Jiménez

Source: http://nol.hu