Pope Francis, on his three-day visit to Hungary, plans to meet with Ukrainian and other refugees who are struggling under the policies of nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Saturday. The 86-year-old Argentine, in his first speech to Orban and other government officials, stressed the “need for openness towards others” and warned against “withdrawing into oneself”. Hungary’s government, in a departure from its usual anti-refugee stance, has welcomed those fleeing the war in neighbouring Ukraine. However, activists say there is barely a support system in place while Orban’s insistence on maintaining ties with Moscow puts off Ukrainians.
About a thousand refugees and poor people are expected to gather at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Budapest, where the Pope will address them at about 10:15 am (0815 GMT). On Saturday, those gathering include people from Ukraine, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Nigeria, and other countries. An Iranian man “who fled persecution for his Christian faith” with his 12-year-old son would also meet the Pope. The Hungarian Helsinki Committee (HHC) rights group stated that they face a “demolished” refugee support system, with Hungary only accepting asylum seekers’ applications at Hungarian embassies abroad since the EU forced Budapest to close controversial so-called border transit zones.
On Saturday, the Pope will also meet disabled children, visit the Greek Catholic community, speak to an expected 11,000 youths in a stadium, and have a private meeting with Jesuits. It is Francis’ 41st international trip since becoming pope in 2013 and his first abroad after spending three nights in the hospital with bronchitis last month, fueling concerns about his long-term health. Francis is the second pope to visit Hungary after John Paul II made trips in 1991 and 1996.
SOURCE: Ref-AFP
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