Pope Francis' trip to Budapest for the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress is official. He made the announcement on the papal flight from Iraq to Rome.
POPE FRANCIS
I will go to Hungary for the final Mass of the Eucharistic Congress. Not a visit to the country, but the Mass.
CARD. PÉTER ERDŐ
Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest
“We welcomed the news with great joy. The pope's presence at the final Mass of the Eucharistic Congress, the 'Statio Orbis,' could be a great source of encouragement, hope and reawakening after these months darkened by the pandemic.”
Since its first edition in 1881, the International Eucharistic Congress has been an occasion for Catholics to reaffirm that the Eucharist is the source of the Church's life.
CARD. PÉTER ERDŐ
Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest
“These congresses gradually took on a somewhat missionary character. The goal was to communicate also that the Eucharist and our faith, our encounter with Christ, carry a message for the whole world. And so the last Eucharistic congresses have also been manifestations of charity.”
The event was originally scheduled for 2020, but had to be postponed because of the pandemic.
CARD. PÉTER ERDŐ
Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest
“We saw on TV how the Holy Father interacted with the people in Iraq. They managed to organize despite the pandemic. So we're determined to organize well, taking all necessary precautions, to be able to express our love.”
The International Eucharistic Congress will include moments of prayer, workshops, testimonials and concerts. It will take place from Sept. 5 to 12.
