During his last day in Hungary, Pope Francis celebrated Mass in Budapest's Lajos Kossuth Square, dedicated to one of the country's heroes. The square houses the Hungarian parliament, monuments of past leaders and, on this special occasion, 50,000 people present for Mass.
In the popemobile, the Pope greeted the crowd as they waved both Hungarian and Vatican flags. In his greeting, there was no shortage of blessings for children.
During the Mass, some of the readings were given by locals in traditional costumes.
The homily featured a moving moment. In a country that suffered religious persecution, Pope Francis celebrated the unity that Catholics have built with other believers and their support for each other.
POPE FRANCIS
It is good to share this joy together with the ecumenical delegations, the heads of the Jewish community, representatives of civil institutions and the diplomatic corps. This is Catholicism: all of us Christians, called by name by the Good Shepherd, are called to welcome and spread his love, to make his flock inclusive and never exclusive.
The Pope asked those present to cultivate fraternal relationships and never turn Christian communities into exclusive spaces. He also explained that being a Church means being an open door for others.
POPE FRANCIS
It is sad and it hurts to see closed doors.
Brothers and sisters, please, please, please. Let us open the doors. Let us also try to be like Jesus with our words, gestures and daily activity. An open door—an open door that never closes in anyone's face.
At the end of the celebration, Cardinal Péter Erdő, the Archbishop of Budapest, thanked the Pope for his visit.
The Pope was gifted a sculpture of King St. Stephen I of Hungary. He was the country's first King and is venerated by both Catholics and Orthodox.
RM
TR: AT
