In Hungary, on the lands of Orban, the pope calls to be "open" to others
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban receives Pope Francis visiting Budapest, at the Museum of Fine Arts in the capital, September 12, 2021. AP
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3 min
Visiting Budapest for a few hours this Sunday, September 12, Pope Francis met behind closed doors with Viktor Orban.
He then paid tribute to a nation "
attached to its roots
", but also called on the Hungarians to be "
open
" to all, in a veiled allusion to the anti-migrant policy of the sovereignist Hungarian Prime Minister.
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“Religious sentiment is the lifeblood of this nation so attached to its roots,” François remarked from his popemobile in front of a huge crowd who had just cheered him on the main square of heroes in Budapest.
But the cross, planted in the ground, in addition to inviting us to take root well, raises and extends its arms towards all [...] My wish is that you be thus: anchored and open, rooted and respectful
”, has t he respondent, before addressing his blessings in Hungarian.
The 84-year-old Sovereign Pontiff, who came to the Hungarian capital to preside over the closing Mass of the International Eucharistic Congress, made these remarks during the Sunday prayer of the Angelus, after a lightning visit in Hungary.
"
Cordial atmosphere
"
He had previously met when arriving on Hungarian soil Viktor Orban, accompanied by the country's president Janos Ader.
The meeting was held in the middle of a huge ceremonial hall of the Museum of Fine Arts in the capital, reports our special envoy to Budapest,
Arthur Herlin
.
The exchanges, which lasted only about fifteen minutes, took place in a "
cordial atmosphere
", around questions of the protection of the family, indicates the Holy See, which does not mention whether the question of the reception of migrants was mentioned.
The two men are known not to share the same point of view on this matter.
The Hungarian Prime Minister has a
strict policy of controlling his borders
.
Far from the positions of the Pontiff, who tirelessly urges “to
welcome, protect, promote and integrate refugees
”.
On his Facebook account, Viktor Orban claimed to have "
asked the Pope not to let the Christians of Hungary perish
".
►
To read also: Migrants: the cross in the life jacket of the Pope is scandalous on the Web
Anti-Semitism in Europe, "
a fuse that must be extinguished
"
Moreover, during a meeting with representatives of Christian denominations and Hungarian Jewish Communities, the pontiff spoke of "
the threat of anti-Semitism which is still circulating in Europe and elsewhere
," saying it was "
of 'a wick that must be extinguished
'. “
The best way to defuse it is to work together in a positive way, it is to promote fraternity,
” added the Pope.
A great defender of interreligious dialogue, François paid tribute to the efforts of religious leaders in their country to "
tear down the walls of separation of the past
" and operate "
a change of outlook
".
“
Jews and Christians, you want to see in the other no longer a stranger, but a friend;
no longer an adversary, but a brother,
”he said, referring at length to the tragic fate of a Hungarian poet, Miklos Radnoti, assassinated in 1944 by Hungarian militiamen.
The Sovereign Pontiff was to leave Budapest shortly after 2:30 p.m. (12:30 p.m. UT) to reach neighboring Slovakia where he planned to spend three days.
►
To read also: Anti-Semitism: "the Jews are our brothers!"
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