Where to meet the Pope in Budapest? – Detailed programme guide

Between 28 and 30 April, His Holiness Pope Francis will be staying in Budapest on an official visit. He will be the fourth on the list of popes who came here during their popeship. The last papal visit to Hungary took place in September 2021.

As we wrote earlier, throughout his three-day stay in the capital, Pope Francis will have a busy schedule. He will not only be meeting with top politicians such as Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and President Katalin Novák, but with ordinary citizens as well. This weekend, there will be several instances when members of the public will have the chance to meet with His Holiness, Szeretlekmagyarország reports.

28 April

The Holy Father arrives in Budapest on Friday the 28th at 10 AM. After having conducted with representatives of political and diplomatic life, Pope Francis will be meeting with ecclesiastical figures such as priests, bishops and monks at St. Stephen’s Basilica. The programme begins at 5 PM, when His Holiness will hold a speech in the church. However, admission is required due to limited space. The event will be broadcast live outside of the basilica. Those interested should start gathering on the square from 4 PM.

29 April

On Saturday morning the Pope will conduct a private visit to care homes and churches, talking with the poor and the refugees. The next public event takes place in the afternoon at László Papp Budapest Sports Arena, at 4:30 PM. The Holy Father will hold another speech and meet with youngsters from around the country. The audience will mostly consist of students from Catholic high schools as well as university students. The dioceses of Hungary will be the ones conducting the programme and attendance. In the evening, His Holiness will also meet with members of the Society of Jesus, aka. the Jesuits.

30 April

You have the best chance to see Pope Francis close up on Sunday the 30th. Starting at 9:30 AM, His Holiness will hold a public mass in front of the Hungarian Parliament, on Kossuth Square. Everyone from Hungary and nearby countries is welcome to attend the religious ceremony. Attendance requires no registration; all visitors are free to enter after a quick security check. Gates open early dawn and will close at 8:15 AM at the latest. Those who arrive late and don’t have space anymore on the square shouldn’t worry either. The prayer will be broadcast live in the surrounding streets.

In the afternoon the Pope will pay one last visit to Pázmány Péter Catholic University, to meet with representatives of cultural and diplomatic life. He leaves Hungary at 5:30 PM by plane.