Pope Francis has held a mass in Hungary in front of tens of thousands of people, despite concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic and tensions with the Hungarian government over issues such as migration and LGBTQ+ rights. The pope’s visit to Hungary comes at a time when the country is facing increasing scrutiny for its perceived drift towards authoritarianism, with concerns raised about restrictions on press freedom, attacks on civil society organizations, and the erosion of democratic institutions.
Despite these concerns, tens of thousands of people gathered in Budapest’s Heroes’ Square to attend the papal mass, with many waving Vatican flags and cheering as the pope arrived. During the mass, Pope Francis called for unity and solidarity, saying that “we are all brothers and sisters”. He also spoke about the importance of respecting human dignity, and urged Hungarians to build a society that is open and welcoming to all.
The pope’s visit to Hungary was not without controversy, however, with some critics accusing him of pandering to the country’s ruling party, Fidesz, which has been accused of stoking anti-immigrant sentiment and promoting conservative social policies.There were also concerns about the pope’s decision to hold a mass with such a large crowd in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly given Hungary’s high infection rates and low vaccination rates.Despite these concerns, the mass went ahead as planned, with attendees required to wear masks and maintain social distancing measures.
The pope’s visit to Hungary comes ahead of a four-day trip to Slovakia, where he is expected to meet with members of the country’s Roma community and visit a memorial to Holocaust victims. The visit to Slovakia is seen as particularly significant given the country’s troubled history with its Roma population, who have long faced discrimination and marginalization.
The pope’s trip to Hungary and Slovakia highlights the ongoing importance of religion in Central and Eastern Europe, where the Catholic Church remains a powerful force despite declining levels of religious observance.The visit also underscores the pope’s commitment to promoting social justice and human dignity, even in the face of opposition from powerful political forces.
The pope’s mass in Hungary was attended by tens of thousands of people, despite concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic and political tensions in the country. During the mass, Pope Francis called for unity and solidarity, and urged Hungarians to build a society that is open and welcoming to all. The visit highlights the ongoing importance of religion in Central and Eastern Europe, and underscores the pope’s commitment to promoting social justice and human dignity.