"I am pleased to announce that from 12 to 15 September next, God willing, he will go to Slovakia to make a pastoral visit".
The Pope said this at the Angelus.
"The Slovaks are happy", he said, to the applause of the faithful.
"The afternoon before - he continued - I will concelebrate the concluding Mass of the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest".
"I sincerely thank all those who are preparing this trip and I pray for them - he added -. Let us all pray for this trip and for the people who are working to organize it".
Francis then greeted "with affection" "especially the Slovaks".
"As announced by the Holy Father in the Angelus, at the invitation of the civil authorities and episcopal conferences, on Sunday 12 September 2021, Pope Francis will be in Budapest on the occasion of the concluding Mass of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress; subsequently, from 12 to 15 September 2021 , will go to Slovakia, visiting the cities of Bratislava, Presov, Kosice and Sastin. The travel program will be published in due course ", said the director of the Vatican Press Office, Matteo Bruni.