On the papal plane returning from Hungary, one of the questions journalists asked was how he felt after the three day trip. He looked tired. But the Pope said he felt he would be able to complete his travel agenda for 2023—starting with World Youth Day in Lisbon.
POPE FRANCIS
I will go there and I hope to make it. You see my knee is not the same as two years ago. With my cane, it's better now. But for the time being, the trip is not canceled. Then there is the trip to Marseille. And then, there is the trip to...Where? Mongolia. Then, there is also a last trip. I don't remember where.
Hungary was Pope Francis' first trip after his release from Rome's Gemelli hospital in early April. At the beginning of his first day in Budapest, the Pope used his cane instead of the wheelchair, which he had been using for the last year.
Pope Francis also told the journalists some of the details of the day he was admitted to the hospital. He denied that he ever lost consciousness.
POPE FRANCIS
What I had was a severe illness at the end of the Wednesday audience. I didn't feel like having lunch. I laid down a little bit. I didn't lose consciousness, but yes, there was a high fever, a high fever. And at three o'clock in the afternoon, the doctor immediately took me to the hospital. I had strong acute pneumonia in the lower part of the lung.
During the in-flight press conferece, the Pope also spoke about Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He said he hopes to be able to hold a meeting with Patriarch Kirill soon. Pope Francis also explained that the Vatican is working to return the children kidnapped by the Russians. He said there is an ongoing negotiation, but will wait until it's public to further discuss it.
POPE FRANCIS
I am willing to do whatever needs to be done. Also, there is a mission going on now, but it is not yet public. Let's see how... When it becomes public, I will speak about it.
Pope Francis also spoke about the Vatican returning pieces of the Parthenon to Greece—which it called a 'donation' rather than a 'return.'
This trip to Hungary marked the Pope's 41st international trip.
JRB
TR: KG
