The first thing the Hungarian Prime Minister said to Pope Francis was that his country was trying to follow the Christian path despite the environmental setbacks.
A few hours later, before Hungarian bishops, religious, priests and catechists, the Pope warned against secularization because he said it can lead to polarization.
POPE FRANCIS
We also see in this country where faith is well rooted; we are witnessing the spread of secularism.
And then, the temptation can be to harden oneself, to close oneself off and assume a combative attitude.
The Pope acknowledged that the Church is facing a pastoral challenge. However, he said that this must not be met by force.
POPE FRANCIS
Because the answers come from the Lord and not from the world. They come from the tabernacle and not from the computer.
Pope Benedict XVI affirmed that the different eras of secularization are a help to the Church because they have contributed in an essential way to her purification and interior reform.
Pope Francis added that Christians must not succumb to the wrong side by being influenced by secularization and slip into what he called a “soft paganism.”
The Pope also discussed the lack of priests and the responsibility to welcome those in need, such as migrants.
Hungarian Catholics gave a warm welcome to Pope Francis. The Co-Cathedral of St. Stephen was completely filled and thousands of people followed the event from outside.
JRB
TR: AT
