Pope Francis traveled to St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church to meet with refugees and people in need. As he entered, he blessed and kissed children.
During the meeting, four groups gave their testimonies, including one Ukrainian father and his family. They had to flee after the Russian invasion last year and migrated to Hungary.
Two of the children played a song of thanksgiving for the help Caritas Hungary gave them when they arrived in the country.
Pope Francis reflected on the need to be fluent in the universal language of charity. He said all people, Christians and non Christians alike, must try to help those in need, physically, mentally and spiritually.
It is not enough to provide bread to fill stomachs; we need to fill people’s hearts! Charity is much more than material and social assistance. It has to do with the whole person. It strives to put people back on their feet with the love of Jesus—a love that helps them to recover their beauty and their dignity
To do this, the Pope said that people must have the courage to look at those in need in the eyes and be willing to touch them.
You can't throw alms at a distance without touching. Touching and looking. So by touching and looking, you start a journey with that needy person that will make you realize how needy they are.
Pope Francis thanked the Hungarian people for their generosity in welcoming more than 2 million Ukrainian refugees since the invasion last year.
Leaving the St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in his wheelchair, Pope Francis went next door to greet the Greek Catholic community at the Church “Protection of the Mother of God.”
In the short encounter, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Hajdúdorog welcomed the Pope and a group of children brought him gifts.
To close, the Pope was given a cross and gave the final blessing in Latin.
KG
