Pope Francis has announced plans to concelebrate the closing mass of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest on September 12. The pope said that he would pay a pastoral visit to Slovakia between September 12 and 15.
Following the announcement, Cardinal Péter Erdő, the head of the Hungarian Catholic Church, told MTI that the Hungarian Catholic community is looking forward to Pope Francis’ visit “with great joy and love”. “We pray that with the easing of the pandemic situation, the visit of the Holy Father will be a sign of hope and a new beginning for us,” he said.
The Prime Minister's Office said the Hungarian government was “pleased to hear Pope Francis announce his acceptance of the invitation to Budapest and is looking forward to seeing him at the closing mass”. In a statement signed by Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén, they said “consultations on details of the Holy Father’s visit continue in the customary manner”. The Prime Minister’s Office stressed that they were looking forward to the international meeting of Catholics and the government will provide all the necessary assistance to make it a success.