Hungary’s national day was marked in Washington, DC, late on Monday evening.
The event, held by the Hungarian embassy and the Hungarian House in Washington, kicked off with a “Pilgrimage” walk from Marymount University of Arlington and finished with Mass held in the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception of Washington.
Hungarian Ambassador László Szabó greeted the congregants at the Basilica and Father Thomas Yehl asked for a special blessing for Hungary and its leaders. Reports state that the embassy then hosted a reception.
Szabó noted the role of King St. Stephen and the struggles of Hungarians over the centuries for survival, emphasizing that Hungary is a Christian state.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed his greetings to the Hungarian people to help celebrate the national holiday.
In a statement posted on the US embassy’s Facebook page, Pompeo, speaking on behalf of the US government, called Hungary “a close friend and ally of the United States”.
Pompeo said the US valued its cooperation with Hungary on a variety of important issues such as defense, regional European security and energy diversification.
“We deeply respect Hungary’s rich history, culture, and traditions, and we are grateful for the many contributions that Hungarian immigrants have made to American society in an array of fields, from the arts to business to technology,” the secretary said.
Pompeo added that bilateral exchanges and a growing trade relationship between the US and Hungary “help strengthen the robust people-to-people ties that bind our two countries together today”.
“We look forward to continued partnership with Hungary to advance our shared interests and commitment to freedom and prosperity in Europe,” the statement concluded.