IN BRIEF

IN BRIEF

POPE TO HUNGARIAN PILGRIMS: ‘THE GIFT OF PEACE BEGINS IN OUR HEARTS’ – Meeting Hungarian pilgrims in the Vatican, Pope Francis encourages them to be men and women of peace and to continue to safeguard their Christian identity, and thanks the Hungarian Church for welcoming Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war. 1,200 pilgrims from Hungary, accompanied by several bishops and Hungarian authorities visited the Vatican on Thursday morning for a special encounter with Pope Francis, marking the first anniversary of his Apostolic Journey to the nation.  The Pope visited Hungary 28-30 April 2023, where he had already been for a brief stop on his way to Slovakia on 12 September 2021 to close the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress in the country’s capital Budapest. Pope to Hungarian pilgrims: ‘The gift of peace begins in our hearts’ – Vatican News

POPE TO CATHOLIC ACTION: EMBRACING ONE ANOTHER CAN PREVENT WARS – Pope Francis addresses Italian Catholic Action and emphasises the importance of embracing others through reflections on missing, saving, and life-changing embraces. He greeted some 50,000 members of Italian Catholic Action in St Peter’s Square on Thursday 25 April as they gathered for their meeting between parents, grandparents, and children.  Speaking of the theme of the meeting, “With Open Arms,” the Pope noted that “embrace is one of the most spontaneous expressions of human experience” and that it is through an embrace that life begins.

For this reason, the Pope introduces three points of reflection: three types of embrace: the missing embrace, the saving embrace, and the life-changing embrace. Pope to Catholic Action: Embracing one another can prevent wars – Vatican News

POPE: ‘A NEGOTIATED PEACE IS BETTER THAN AN ENDLESS WAR’ – In an interview with CBS, Pope Francis calls for an end to the wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and around the world. He says there is room for everyone in the Church pointing out that if a parish priest doesn’t seem welcoming, one can look elsewhere: “There is always a place, don’t run away from the Church.” Referring in particular to the wars in Ukraine, in Gaza and others that continue to ravage the world, Pope Francis said ” Please, countries at war, all of them… Stop the war. Look to negotiate. Look for peace. A negotiated peace is better than a war without end.”

The Pope was speaking during an interview granted to the US radio-television broadcaster CBS, Wednesday afternoon at Casa Santa Marta. Some excerpts from the hour-long interview conducted by Norah O’Donnell, director of “CBS Evening News,” were broadcast shortly after. An extended version of the conversation will be aired on Sunday, May 19, on the eve of World Children’s Day, which will take place in Rome on May 25 and 26. Pope: ‘A negotiated peace is better than an endless war’ – Vatican News

 

 

 

PAPAL PRAYER INTENTION FOR MAY; FOR ECCLESIAL MOVEMENTS AND GROUPS – VATICAN NEWS: IN-FLIGHT PRESS CONFERENCE ON RETURN TO ROME FROM HUNGARY – MEDIA ON PAPAL HEALTH REMARKS AND SECRET PEACE MISSION

PAPAL PRAYER INTENTION FOR MAY; FOR ECCLESIAL MOVEMENTS AND GROUPS

In his May 2023 prayer intention:, Pope Francis prays that ecclesial movements and groups might daily rediscover their evangelizing mission. He calls them a “gift” and a “treasure” in the Church. CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO: Pope’s May prayer intention: For ecclesial movements and groups – Vatican News

VATICAN NEWS: IN-FLIGHT PRESS CONFERENCE ON RETURN TO ROME FROM HUNGARY

I find these in-flight pressers, as well as interviews of Pope Francis by individual journalists, quite revealing for many reasons. Often they offer far more information on a particular issue than the Vatican news does on the same story. One example: we usually learn more about papal health issues, treatment and medications from the Holy Father himself than from official sources, as you can see from Francis’ answer to Aura Miguel about his March health scare.

PAPAL HEALTH:  Aura Maria Vistas Miguel, of Portugal’s Rádio Renascença asked the Holy Father: Your next stop is Lisbon. How do you feel about your health? We were taken by surprise when you went to hospital; you said you fainted. So do you feel you have the energy to go to World Youth Day? And would you like an event with a Ukrainian and a Russian youth as a sign for the new generations?

Pope Francis: First of all, [my] health. What I had was a sudden, strong illness at the end of the (March 29) Wednesday Audience. I didn’t feel like having lunch; I laid down for a bit. I didn’t lose consciousness, but yes, I had a very high fever and at three in the afternoon the doctor immediately took me to hospital. I had severe acute pneumonia in the lower part of the lung—thank God, I can tell you about it—to such an extent that the organism, the body, responded well. Thank God. This is what I had.

About Lisbon: The day before I left I spoke with Bishop Americo [Aguiar, auxiliary bishop of Lisbon], who came to see how things are there. I will go. I will go. I hope to make it. You can see that it is not the same as two years ago, with the cane. Now it is better. For the moment the trip is not cancelled.

A SECRET PEACE MISSION FOR UKRAINE? Eliana Ruggiero, an Italian journalist, asked Francis: If somehow (Metropolitan Hilarion and also (Hungarian Prime Minister) Viktor Orbán could accelerate the peace process in Ukraine and also make a meeting between you and Putin possible, if they could act “as intermediaries”?

Pope Francis: You can imagine that in this meeting we not only talked about Little Red Riding Hood, right? We talked about all these things (migrants, open borders). We talked about this because everyone is interested in the road to peace. I am willing. I am willing to do whatever needs to be done. Also, there is a mission going on now, but it is not public yet. Let’s see how … When it is public I will talk about it.

He also said: “Metropolitan Hilarion is someone I respect very much, and we have always had a good relationship. And he was kind enough to come and see me, then he came to the Mass, and I saw him here at the airport as well. Hilarion is an intelligent person with whom one can talk, and these relationships need to be maintained, because if we talk about ecumenism – I like this, I don’t like this – we must have an outstretched hand with everyone, even receive their hand.

“With Patriarch Kirill I have spoken only once since the war began, 40 minutes via zoom, then through Anthony, who is in Hilarion’s place now, who comes to see me. He is a bishop who was a parish priest in Rome and knows the environment well, and always through him I am in connection with Kirill.

“There was a meeting that we were to have in Jerusalem in July or June last year, but it was suspended because of the war: that will have to take place. And then, with the Russians I have a good relationship with the ambassador who is now leaving; he has been the ambassador in the Vatican for seven years, he is a great man, a man comme il faut, a serious, cultured and balanced person. My relationship with the Russians is mainly with this ambassador.”

MEDIA ON PAPAL HEALTH REMARKS AND SECRET PEACE MISSION

PAPAL HEALTH: On May 1, 2023, Catholic Culture had this report, with additional background information so that the papal remarks can be put in perspective:

Pope Francis discussed the illness that led to his brief hospitalization late in March, during an exchange with reporters on his return flight from Hungary.

“I had severe acute pneumonia,” the Pope revealed.

That explanation contradicts statements issued by Vatican officials during the Pope’s stay in the Gemelli Hospital. The Vatican had originally attributed the Pope’s hospitalization to a “respiratory infection,” and later to “bronchitis”—specifically denying that he suffered from pneumonia.

Last week a friend reported that the Pope had been unconscious when he arrived at the hospital. Pope Francis contradicted that report as well. “I didn’t lose consciousness,” he said, but he said, “I had a very high fever.”

Pope Francis responded quickly to treatment in the hospital. He was discharged after three days, and quickly resumed his normal schedule, showing no lingering signs of his bout with the disease.

Just two days after he was rushed to the hospital, after suffering breathing difficulties following a public audience on March 29, the Pope was feeling well enough to visit a ward for pediatric cancer patients—a visit that would not likely have been approved if the Pontiff had a contagious disease. Pneumonia is not regarded as contagious if it is the result of chronic bronchitis. Vatican reporters have speculated that the Pope’s dramatic gain in weight in recent months is the result of steroid treatment to combat chronic bronchitis. The Vatican has not directly addressed that speculation.

A SECRET PEACE MISSION?

Also Catholic Culture: Pope Francis said that the Vatican is involved in a secret mission to bring peace to Ukraine, in an exchange with reporters during his flight home from a visit to Hungary.

“There is a mission underway now, but it is not yet public,” the Pope said. He declined to say more about the effort. “When it is public, will reveal it,” he said.

The Pope stressed that he is “available to do anything” for the cause of peace. He sidestepped questions about whether he had pursued his secret mission during his three-day visit to Hungary.

During the trip the Pope met with Metropolitan Hilarion, who was once the chief foreign-affairs official of the Russian Orthodox Church. However Hilarion was removed from that post after criticizing the Russian offensive in Ukraine, which the Moscow Patriarchate has supported.

During his in-flight interview he Pope appeared to indicate that he was not in close touch with the current leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church, saying that he had “spoken only once since the war began” with the Russian Patriarch Kirill. Speaking highly of Aleksandr Avdeyev, the Russian ambassador to the Holy See, the Pope said: “My relationship with the Russians is mainly with this ambassador.”

CNN, on the other hand, reports that Ukraine is not aware of Pope Francis’ peace initiative to end the war that he announced on his way back to Rome from Hungary. CNN cites an anonymous Ukrainian official close to the Office of the President of Ukraine who reportedly said, “”President Zelenskyy has not consented to any such discussions on Ukraine’s behalf. If talks are happening, they are happening without our knowledge or our blessing.”

POPE: HOLY SEE WILL WORK TO RETURN UKRAINIAN CHILDREN TAKEN TO RUSSIA

I had a wonderful encounter this afternoon with Fr. Don Calloway when he celebrated Mass at a Roman parish near my home for a group of American pilgrims, many in Italy for the first time!

I had seen his FB post last night about a pilgrimage (they all arrived this morning) and wrote to ask if there was time for us to finally meet in person! His answer was: 4 pm Mass at Santa Maria delle Grazie alle Fornaci!

It was a wonderful meeting, all the more special because we met in a church for the Eucharist, and also the fact that today is the feast of St. Joseph the Worker and you know how special St. Joseph is in his life! His wonderful book, “Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of our Spiritual Father,” is everything you ever wanted to know about St. Joseph and has so much in it you never dreamed you had to know!

Fr. Calloway’s words, his portrait of Joseph, made this saint shoot to the top of my list of favorite saints. St. Joseph is a huge part now of my everyday life and I’ve posted many a photo of the “sleeping St. Joseph” I have on my desk!

And this is my favorite St. Joseph the Worker image!

By the way, Fr. Calloway’s newest book is “Eucharistic Gems: Daily Wisdom on the Blessed Sacrament.”

POPE: HOLY SEE WILL WORK TO RETURN UKRAINIAN CHILDREN TAKEN TO RUSSIA

Pope Francis speaks to journalists traveling with him on the return flight to Rome from his Apostolic Journey to Hungary, and discusses the Holy See’s efforts to facilitate a truce in Ukraine and the return of Ukrainian children from Russia, as well as his recent hospitalization and recovery.

 By Vatican News

In his traditional press conference aboard the return flight to Rome from Budapest, Pope Francis spoke to reporters about a range of issues.

These included the Holy See’s efforts to facilitate the return to Ukraine of Ukrainian children taken to Russia during the war, hopes for peace, and contacts with the Kremlin, along with ecumenical dialogue. He also mentioned his health following his hospitalization at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital the week before Palm Sunday.

The Pope also spoke about the return of the Parthenon artifacts to Greece, calling it an example for similar gestures in the future.

The following is a working translation of the Pope’s in-flight press conference from the original Italian.

FOR FULL STORY: Pope: Holy See will work to return Ukrainian children taken to Russia – Vatican News

IN BRIEF (RELATIVELY SPEAKING!)

So much news today – the nuncio to Hungary speaks on the Holy Father’s weekend visit to Budapest, the end of the two-day meeting of the new C9 (the Council of Cardinals who are advisers to the Pope), the announcement that lay people and women will be able to vote in the October synod (historical!), the weekly general audience and a speech by Francis to the Chicago-based Catholic Extension Society!

I especially enjoyed the interview with a longtime friend of mine, Abp. Michael Banach, a luminary of Vatican diplomacy whom I’ve known for many years, now the Vatican nuncio to Hungary.

It was also interesting to read the Pope’s remarks to the Catholic Extension Society, an institution I learned about as a child as various relatives dedicated philanthropic resources to this body. Last night, after dinner at Taverna Agape in Pza. San Simeone I was walking on Via dei Coronari to a nearby taxi stand and ran into Cardinal Cupich from Chicago. He said he was in town for today’s meeting with the Holy Father. I’ve also known Extension President, Fr. Jack Wall, for a few years and he has been a dinner guest of mine.

As I always do in IN BRIEF, I’ll give just a few lines about each story and then the link to read the full piece, should it interest you.

IN BRIEF (RELATIVELY SPEAKING!)

HUNGARIANS LOVE POPE FRANCIS’ JOY AND SINCERITY: The Apostolic Nuncio to Hungary, Archbishop Michael Wallace Banach, insists that Hungarians love Pope Francis’ joy and sincerity, and appreciate his maintaining his promise to return to visit them after his brief 12 September 2021 stay in Budapest for the closing Mass of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress. In an interview granted to Vatican News – Vatican Radio for the occasion of the Holy Father’s Apostolic Journey to the country, the long-serving American diplomat, who has served in several continents, granted his insight into the realities for the faithful in the country and the meaning of the Pope’s return to Hungarian soil, marking his 41st Apostolic Journey abroad. Apostolic Nuncio: Hungarians love Pope Francis’ joy, sincerity – Vatican News

THE VATICAN ANNOUNCED WEDNESDAY THAT THERE WILL BE LAY PEOPLE PARTICIPATING AS VOTING MEMBERS IN THE SYNOD ON SYNODALITY’S OCTOBER ASSEMBLY, a break with past custom, which allowed laypeople to participate without the right to vote. Pope Francis will also approve every member in advance. The general assembly of the Synod on Synodality will take place in two sessions, in October 2023 and October 2024. After the vote on a final document for the assembly, the pope alone decides whether to take any actions based on the recommendations in the final text or whether to adopt it as an official Church document…According to the synod leadership, it is requested that “50% of [the selected people] be women and that the presence of young people also be emphasized.” Vatican announces laypeople, including women, will vote in Synod on Synodality assembly | Catholic News Agency

NEW COUNCIL OF CARDINALS ENDS TWO-DAY MEETING. Vatican news announced today the end of a two-day meeting of the new C9, Council of Cardinals, stating the next meeting will be in June, without specifying a date. (I listed the cardinal members, new and returning, here: POPE PRESIDES OVER THE FIRST MEETING OF THE NEW COUNCIL OF CARDINALS – ARCHBISHOP PAGLIA CLARIFIES STANCE ON ASSISTED SUICIDE | Joan’s Rome (wordpress.com) Past meetings, since the first one in 2013, usually took place over three days, with the Pope always participating, except on Wednesday mornings when he presided over the general audience. Summaries of those meetings, released on the final day, Wednesday, usually went on at some length in describing the topics discussed. Today’s announcement, much briefer, was summarized by Vatican news: Council of Cardinals discusses ongoing wars and need for peace-building – Vatican News

“IN OUR CONTINUING CATECHESIS ON APOSTOLIC ZEAL,” SAID POPE FRANCIS AT THE GENERAL AUDIENCE IN ST. PETER’S SQUARE, “we now turn to the example of the saints of every age, beginning with those who embraced the monastic life. Their witness of following Christ in poverty, chastity and obedience was combined with unceasing intercessory prayer for the spread of the Gospel and the growth of the Church. Today we consider Saint Gregory of Narek, a medieval Armenian monk and Doctor of the Church, whose writings embody the profound Christian tradition of the Armenian people, the first to embrace the Gospel. In the hiddenness of his monastery, Gregory sensed a profound solidarity with the whole Church and her mission of preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ to all nations and peoples. Identifying with sinful humanity, he devoted his entire existence to interceding for sinners, the poor and those in need of the Lord’s healing and forgiveness. The example of Saint Gregory of Narek reminds us of our responsibility to cooperate, by our own intercessory prayer, in the Church’s mission of proclaiming the Gospel message of reconciliation, redemption and peace for the entire human family. General Audience – Activities of the Holy Father Pope Francis | Vatican.va

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“I OFFER A CORDIAL WELCOME TO ALL OF YOU FROM THE CATHOLIC EXTENSION SOCIETY WHO HAVE GATHERED THIS WEEK IN ROME,” said the Holy Father. “Your presence gives me the opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude for your efforts in providing assistance to missionary Dioceses, particularly in the United States, and in caring for the needs of the poor and most vulnerable. I thank you, too, for your valuable contributions to the rebuilding of the Church and the broader society in Puerto Rico, following the various hurricanes and earthquakes which brought such devastation to the island in recent years….In striving to build up the Body of Christ, the Church, by giving a voice to those who are frequently voiceless, you bear witness to the God-given dignity of every person. …I encourage you as well to continue to express ‘God’s style’ in the work that you do. God’s style is never distant, detached or indifferent. Instead, it is one of closeness, compassion and tender love. This is God’s style: closeness, compassion and tender love. God is like this, this is his style.” To a delegation from the “Catholic Extension Society” – Activities of the Holy Father Pope Francis | Vatican.va

 

TEN YEARS AGO: A PAPACY ENDS, BENEDICT XVI DEPARTS THE VATICAN – CARDINAL ERDO SHARES ‘GREAT JOY’ TO WELCOME POPE FRANCIS TO HUNGARY

TEN YEARS AGO: A PAPACY ENDS, BENEDICT XVI DEPARTS THE VATICAN

Who can forget hearing Pope Benedict announce his resignation of the papacy on February 11, 2013 and then, in one of the most moving, touching, memorable videos of a papacy, fly over Vatican City in a helicopter for Castelgandolfo where he would reside for several months.

The Sede vacante began at 8 pm, February 28, 2013.

Do you remember?

I certainly do because I reported on this momentous day in Church history for EWTN television. There were many moments when I was not sure I could control my emotions and a few when you could sense and see what I felt. I’ve seen this several times in years past and always tear up a bit. The Rome portions starts at about 5:40: (12) Pope’s Departure From the Vatican – 2013-02-28 – YouTube

CARDINAL ERDO SHARES ‘GREAT JOY’ TO WELCOME POPE FRANCIS TO HUNGARY

In an interview with Vatican News, Cardinal Péter Erdő, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Hungary, discusses his “great joy” for Pope Francis’ upcoming Apostolic Journey to the nation from 28 to 30 April, while recognizing the significance of the visit taking place with the backdrop of the war in Ukraine.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Cardinal Peter Erdo says Pope Francis’ Apostolic Journey to Hungary will be a great joy for the nation.

In an interview with Vatican News, the Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Primate of Hungary, expressed his delight about the Holy Father’s upcoming journey to the Eastern European country from 28 to 30 April, marking the Pope’s 41st Apostolic Journey abroad.

On Monday, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, announced the Pope would make the visit after having accepted the invitation of the civil and ecclesial authorities to visit the country.

In the interview, Cardinal Erdo gives his personal reaction to, and his expectations for, the papal journey, also as it takes place with the backdrop of the war in Ukraine.

He also expresses why Pope Francis’ return to Hungarian territory is significant, and sheds light on the program itself, including the Holy Father’s planned meeting with children.

During his three-day journey, the Pope will visit with refugees and poor people, as well as with children of the Blessed László Batthyány-Strattmann Institute.

More than half of Hungarians are Christian, and at least 37 percent of the population identify as Catholic.

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, nearly 1 million Ukrainian nationals have travelled through Hungary as refugees, according to local sources.

The Holy Father had made a brief stop in the country’s capital of Budapest to celebrate Mass for the closure of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress on 12 September 2021, on his way to Slovakia.

Pope Francis had also has shown his closeness to the Hungarian faithful during his visit to Romania, when celebrated Mass at the popular Hungarian pilgrimage site of Csíksomlyó (Șumuleu Ciuc) in Romania’s Transylvania region. Transylvania had once been part of Hungary, but became Romanian territory in 1920. Ethnic Hungarians in Romania total more than one million people.

Q: Cardinal Erdo, how do you comment on Pope Francis’ Apostolic Journey to Hungary, and what are your expectations for this visit?

With great joy we received the news of the Holy Father’s visit to Hungary. We invited him as the Hungarian Church, as the Church of Budapest, and we wanted to welcome him for a pastoral visit.

Last time, when he visited our city to participate in the closing Mass of the World Eucharistic Congress (September 2021, ed.), it was a lightning visit. Instead, a pastoral visit, a meeting with the community of the faithful, was something that had been desired for many years. So it is an immense joy.

Q: As you mentioned, this is not the first time the Holy Father has come to Hungary. Why is his return to the country important now?

Precisely because of the very fact of a meeting with the Hungarian faithful. The event of 2021 was an international event: pilgrims, bishops, priests, faithful were present from 83 countries. This time, however, Francis is addressing the Hungarians, our people, our local Church. This gives us great honour and joy.

Q: In the background of this trip, there is the war in Ukraine. How will this reality be important during the trip? We know Hungary helped so many Ukrainian refugees during this time of the invasion.

The news of the war that broke out a year ago and went on all this year means a lot of sadness for us. Sadness for the very fact of the war, because we have been praying for peace every day for a year, even in different communities. We also regularly hold peace processions and have consecrated Ukraine and Russia to Our Lady, as the Holy Father had invited us to do. We did this act in St Stephen’s Basilica in front of his relic, because St Stephen a thousand years ago was the first who, according to history, offered an entire country to Our Lady. And so, we felt a spiritual closeness to the two peoples.

And what do we do? First of all, we have to face the great challenge of refugees. We are a country of less than ten million inhabitants, and in the last year more than one and a half million refugees have arrived from Ukraine. Certainly not all of them wanted to stay in Hungary, but 10-15% of the refugees stayed.

So the first challenge was humanitarian aid. We received the refugees both at the border and in Budapest, through the national Caritas, the diocesan Caritas and the charity groups of the individual parishes. Then there were the Knights of Malta who did so much for those who arrived.

Q: And the faithful were rather involved in this assistance?

Then we had to organise the spontaneous help offered by the faithful, the hospitality of certain parishes and ecclesial institutions as well as private individuals. We also saw that there are many women and children who need schools, teaching. We could also organise this in Catholic schools. There were teachers who knew Russian, others among the refugees who spoke Ukrainian. And so we tried to organise the teaching according to the age of the groups of children.

There were also Hungarian-speaking refugees from the area bordering Hungary, so integration was easier for them. But we also try to integrate the others, offering them a job, a flat that they can use for a longer period of time… So I think it is a challenge that continues to be very great, but one that helps us to become aware of our Christian vocation.

Q: Looking at the programme released by the Holy See Press Office, one sees a meeting with children. Can you tell us more?

For several decades there has been an ecclesiastical institute in Budapest that takes in blind and disabled children. So they need a lot of affection and help from the entire Catholic community.

This institute will be visited in April by the Pope who always shows solidarity and tenderness towards these children.

 

POPE FRANCIS TO MAKE APOSTOLIC JOURNEY TO HUNGARY IN APRIL

Hopefully things will start to move this week as I have finally received permission from my insurance company to see an orthopedic doctor and have an MRI. If I am able, I will keep you posted in some way or another. Say a prayer!

In my last column about an American priest who was in Rome for the general chapter of his religious Order, the Marians of the Immaculate Conception, I noted that his Ash Wednesday homily (posted on Youtube) started with him telling about the audience the MIC had with Pope Francis, at which Father was told by a member of the curia not to ask controversial questions of the Pope. I was very surprised at that remark, at the restrictions implied therein, and highlighted it in my post. Most everyone who responded to that post was equally surprised but I did hear from those who felt I should have presented another side of the coin. In fact, I probably should have added that we have no idea if the Holy Father is aware of restrictions that might be put on people he receives in audience and get a chance to talk to him. I have no idea if this might have been an isolated incident, and did not mention that. I had no intention of putting the papacy, Pope Francis, in a negative light and I could have done that by omission. Thanks for understanding!

POPE FRANCIS TO MAKE APOSTOLIC JOURNEY TO HUNGARY IN APRIL

In a statement from the Holy See Press Office, Director Matteo Bruni announced on Monday: “Accepting the invitation of the civil and ecclesial Authorities, His Holiness Pope Francis will make an Apostolic Journey to Hungary from 28 to 30 April 2023, visiting the city of Budapest.” The papal visit will mark Pope Francis’ 41st Apostolic Journey abroad and the 61st nation visited since the start of his pontificate. During his three-day journey, the Pope will visit with refugees and poor people, as well as with children of the Blessed László Batthyány-Strattmann Institute.

Cardinal Péter Erdő, Metropolitan Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest and Primate of Hungary –

As is customary, the Holy Father will address authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps; young people; bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons, seminarians and pastoral workers; and representatives of the academic and cultural world. More than half of Hungarians are Christian, and at least 37 percent of the population identify as Catholic. FOR MORE: Pope Francis to make Apostolic Journey to Hungary in April – Vatican News

St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest –

POPE SENDS CONDOLENCES FOR VICTIMS OF MARKET EXPLOSION IN IRAQ – ITINERARY FOR PAPAL TRIP TO HUNGARY, SLOVAKIA

As you will see below, the Vatican today published the itinerary of Pope Francis’ September 12 to 15 trip to Budapest, Hungary and to Slovakia. It seems to be a jam-packed few days and hopes are high that the Holy Father will be returned to full health by departure day. I counted about 25 events, including plane trips, meetings, and various liturgies in three and a half days! (I have left the upper case references in the original report).

POPE SENDS CONDOLENCES FOR VICTIMS OF MARKET EXPLOSION IN IRAQ

The following telegram was sent Tuesday afternoon in Pope Francis’ name by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to the Apostolic Nuncio in Iraq, Archbishop Mitja Leskovar:

“His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life in the explosion at the al-Wuhailat market in Baghdad and he sends condolences to the families and friends of those who have died. Entrusting their souls to the mercy of Almighty God, His Holiness renews his fervent prayers that no act of violence will diminish the efforts of those who strive to promote reconciliation and peace in Iraq.” (AFP photo on Vatican media)

ITINERARY FOR PAPAL TRIP TO HUNGARY, SLOVAKIA

Following is the itinerary for the Apostolic Journey of Pope Francis to Budapest on the occasion of the concluding Holy Mass of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress, and to Slovakia, (12-15 September 2021):

Sunday 12 September 2021 ROME – BUDAPEST – BRATISLAVA

06:00 Departure by airplane from Rome/Fiumicino International Airport for Budapest 07:45 Arrival at Budapest International Airport

07:45 OFFICIAL WELCOME at Budapest International Airport

08:45 MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC AND THE PRIME MINISTER at the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest

09:15 MEETING WITH THE BISHOPS at the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest Address of the Holy Father

10:00 MEETING WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ECUMENICAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES AND SOME JEWISH COMMUNITIES IN HUNGARY at the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest Address of the Holy Father 11:30 HOLY MASS at Heroes’ Square in Budapest Homily of the Holy Father Angelus

14:30 FAREWELL CEREMONY at Budapest International Airport 14:40 Departure by airplane for Bratislava

15:30 Arrival at Bratislava International Airport

15:30 OFFICIAL WELCOME at Bratislava International Airport

16:30 ECUMENICAL MEETING at the Apostolic Nunciature in Bratislava Address of the Holy Father

17:30 PRIVATE MEETING WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS at the Apostolic Nunciature in Bratislava

Monday 13 September 2021 BRATISLAVA

09:15 WELCOME CEREMONY at the Presidential Palace in Bratislava

09:30 COURTESY VISIT TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC in the “Golden Hall” of the Presidential Palace in Bratislava

10:00 MEETING WITH AUTHORITIES, CIVIL SOCIETY AND THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS in the garden of the Presidential Palace in Bratislava Address of the Holy Father

10:45 MEETING WITH BISHOPS, PRIESTS, RELIGIOUS, CONSECRATED PERSONS, SEMINARIANS, CATECHISTS at the Cathedral of Saint Martin in Bratislava

16:00 PRIVATE VISIT TO THE “BETHLEHEM CENTER” in Bratislava

16:45 MEETING WITH THE JEWISH COMMUNITY at Rybné námestie Square in Bratislava Address of the Holy Father

18:00 VISIT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE PARLIAMENT at the Apostolic Nunciature in Bratislava

18:15 VISIT OF THE PRIME MINISTER at the Apostolic Nunciature in Bratislava

Tuesday 14 September 20 –BRATISLAVA – KOŠICE – PREŠOV – KOŠICE – BRATISLAVA

08:10 Departure by airplane for Košice

09:00 Arrival at Košice Airport

10:30 BYZANTINE DIVINE LITURGY OF SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM PRESIDED BY THE HOLY FATHER in the square of the Mestská športová hala in Prešov Homily of the Holy Father

16:00 MEETING WITH THE ROMA COMMUNITY at Luník IX district in Košice Greeting of the Holy Father

17:00 MEETING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE at Lokomotiva Stadium in Košice Address of the Holy Father

18:30 Departure by airplane for Bratislava 19:30 Arrival at Bratislava International Airport

Wednesday 15 September 2021 BRATISLAVA – ŠAŠTIN – BRATISLAVA – ROME

09:10 MOMENT OF PRAYER WITH THE BISHOPS at the National Shrine in Šaštin

10:00 HOLY MASS on the esplanade of the National Shrine in Šaštin Homily of the Holy Father

13:30 FAREWELL CEREMONY at Bratislava International Airport

13:45 Departure by airplane for Rome

15:30 Arrival at Rome/Ciampino International Airport