Budapest. Pope Francis on Sunday appealed to Hungary to open its doors to others. On the last day of his tour, he appealed to Europe and Hungary to welcome migrants and the poor and end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Pope Francis made this appeal while addressing the religious congregation held at Kossuth Lajos Square in Budapest, the capital of Hungary. The place where this meeting was held is near the Hungarian Parliament and behind it is located the famous Chain Bridge. It featured a three-day visit by Francis that highlighted the plight of migrants and the Vatican’s concerns over the war in neighboring Ukraine.
The Vatican said that some 50,000 people took part in the mass, of which more than 30,000 were present in the square. They also included Hungarian President Katalin Novak and right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban. His cold attitude to Ukraine has angered other EU members.
Francis commended Hungary for its recent reception of refugees from Ukraine. But he questioned Orban’s hardline anti-immigration policies. These policies include the construction of a fence along the border with Serbia to prevent people from entering in 2015–2016.
Pope Francis has urged Hungary and Europe to welcome people fleeing war, poverty and climate change, calling for safe and legal corridors for them.
How sad and painful it is for those who come here to see closed doors, Pope Francis said. Please, let us open these doors for them. In his final prayer at the end of Mass, Francis wished for peace in Ukraine.
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