Pope Francis has arrived in Budapest, the first stage of the journey that will also take him to Slovakia.
The Alitalia plane with the Pope on board landed at the airport of the Hungarian capital, where Francesco is welcomed by Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjen.
The Pontiff, in the Museum of Fine Arts in Budapest,
met with Prime Minister Viktor Orban and the President of the Republic of Hungary, Janos Ader
.
The meeting of Pope Francis in Budapest with the President of the Republic of Hungary Janos Ader, with Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjen "took place according to the planned program, in a cordial atmosphere, and ended at 9.25 ", lasting about 40 minutes in all.
This was announced by the Vatican press office.
Also present, with the Pontiff, were card.
Pietro Parolin, secretary of state, and Msgr.
Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.
Among the various topics covered, "the role of the Church in the country, the commitment to safeguarding the environment, the defense and promotion of the family".
Francis met the bishops of Hungary, then the Ecumenical Council of Churches with the Jewish communities.
"Whenever there was the temptation to absorb the other, he did not build himself, but destroyed himself; so also when he wanted to ghettoize him, rather than integrate him. How many times in history has this happened! We must watch and pray so that it does not happen more. And commit ourselves to promoting together an education to fraternity, so that the outbursts of hatred that want to destroy it do not prevail. I think of
the threat of anti-Semitism, which still lurks in Europe and elsewhere. It is a fuse that must be extinguished.
"So the Pope in Budapest, meeting the Ecumenical Council of Churches and some Jewish communities in Hungary." But the best way to defuse it is to work positively together, is to promote fraternity ", said the Pontiff. Francis made reference to the "evocative image of the Chain Bridge, which connects the two parts of this city: it does not merge them together, but holds them together. This is how the bonds between us must be ". And" the Bridge further instructs us: it is supported by great chains, formed by many rings. We are these links - he explained - and each link is fundamental: therefore we can no longer live in suspicion and ignorance, distant and discordant ". According to Francis," the God of the covenant asks us not to give in to the logic ofisolation and partisan interests. He does not want alliances with someone at the expense of others, but people and communities who are bridges of communion with everyone ".
"In this country, you, who represent the majority religions, have the task - he added in another passage - to favor the conditions so that religious freedom is respected and promoted for all".
"And you have an exemplary role towards everyone - added the Pontiff -: no one can say that divisive words come from the lips of the men of God, but only messages of openness and peace. In a world torn by too many conflicts, this is the best testimony. who must offer whoever has received the grace to know the God of the covenant and of peace ".
Finally, in Heroes' Square, he will celebrate the concluding Mass of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress and will recite the Angelus.
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