Pope Francis calls Hungary an example to follow

The Italian Bishops' Conference recently held its 77th General Assembly. On 22 May, the opening day of the event which took part with the exclusion of the press, Pope Francis departed from his scripted speech and brought up Hungary as an example before his audience. He emphasized that Hungary is not afraid to stand up for Christian values on which Europe is founded, for which it has come under all sorts of attacks.

Vatikánváros, 2023. május 24. Ferenc pápa heti általános audienciájára érkezik a vatikáni Szent Péter téren 2023. május 24-én. MTI/EPA-ANSA/Massimo Percossi Fotó: Massimo Percossi

The 77th General Assembly of the Italian Bishops' Conference (CEI) was held in the Vatican from May 22-25 this year, with the participation of Archbishops Csaba Ternyak of Eger, and Gyorgy Udvardy of Veszprem, as observers.

Pope Francis attended and spoke on two occasions, at the opening and closing of the Assembly, which took place with the exclusion of the general public.

Shortly before, the Hungarian participants revealed that the Holy Father had deviated from his scripted speech on 22 May, amending it with his own off-the-cuff commentary:

Return to the Christian values of Europe, as intended by its founding fathers! This is what Hungary is doing, and it is under attack for it.

Cover photo: Pope Francis arrives for his weekly general audience in St Peter's Square, Vatican City, 24 May 2023 (Photo: MTI/EPA-ANSA/Massimo Percossi)