Cardinal Péter Erdő, Head of the Hungarian Catholic Church, said that the “statio orbis”, or “Assembly of the World”, at the closing Mass to be held by Pope Francis next Sunday in Heroes’ Square palpably symbolized the church’s unity. Hungary is hosting the event for the second time since 1938. Originally scheduled to be held in 2020, the event was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The 52nd International Eucharistic Congress opening mass on Sunday was concelebrated by 100 bishops and some 300 priests. The participants filled Heroes’ Square and a part of Andrassy Avenue. The event was attended by President János Áder and First Lady Anita Herczegh, Anikó Lévai, Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s wife, Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén, András Zs. Varga, the president of the supreme court, Human Resources Minister Miklós Kásler, Chief Prosecutor Péter Polt, and other dignitaries.
Between Monday and Friday, lectures on Christian subjects will be offered all day at the Hungexpo grounds, while concerts and other performances will be held in Széll Kálmán and Örs vezér squares in the afternoons. Concerts, folk dance performances and book shows will also be held in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica. The Congress’s closing mass will be celebrated by Pope Francis at Heroes’ Square on Sunday.