BUDAPEST: Pope Francis has called on Hungarians to be “open” towards migrants during his three-day visit to the country, which has taken a staunch anti-immigration stance under its nationalist premier Viktor Orban.
Tens of thousands gathered in central Budapest to hear the pope lead an open-air mass, during which he urged all, including “those with political and social responsibilities”, to be more open.
This marks a stark contrast to Orban’s anti-migration rhetoric, with Francis emphasising a welcoming stance towards those fleeing poverty or conflict zones.
Pope Francis gives speech to refugees
On Saturday, Francis gave a speech to refugees, mostly from neighbouring Ukraine, and poor people at a Budapest church.
His visit comes a month after he was hospitalised for three months for bronchitis, so all eyes have been on the pontiff’s health.
Francis’ trip to Budapest is his 41st international trip since becoming pope in 2013. He is set to return to Rome in the early evening, giving his traditional press conference on the plane to journalists accompanying him on board.
