During his visit to Hungary last week, Pope Francis called for an “immediate ceasefire” in Ukraine and urged the international community to do more to help those fleeing war and persecution. During his visit, Pope Francis celebrated mass before an estimated crowd of 50,000 in Kossuth Square, beside the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest, and also commented that Hungary has very few ‘non Ukrainian refugees.’
The Pope’s ambition for a ceasefire is shared by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has repeatedly stated that, in Europe, “only Hungary and the Vatican stand on the side of peace.”
The Pope has also met with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, who asked for the Pope’s help in securing the return of more than 16,000 unaccompanied children abducted by Russian security forces since February last year.
Pope Francis also spoke briefly with the Russian Orthodox Metropolitan of Hungary, Hilarion, during his stay. The former ‘foreign minister’ of the Moscow Patriarchate was moved to Budapest in June 2022.
The Vatican press office said the meeting lasted about 20 minutes and took place in “a cordial tone,” but did not provide information on the content of the discussion.
CENTRAL EASTERN EUROPE NEWS
Pope and Orbán for Ukranian Ceasefire
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