The papal flight from Rome touches down at International Airport as Pope Francis arrives in Hungary for his 41st Apostolic Journey abroad.
By Lisa Zengarini
Pope Francis’ Apostolic journey to Hungary kicked off on Friday morning with the arrival of the papal aircraft at Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport at 11:54 am local time (GMT +2).
Welcoming him on the tarmac were the Hungarian Vice Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén and two children dressed in traditional costumes offering him sal and bread, a traditional welcome greeting ceremony in many East European cultures.
After the presentation of their respective delegations, the Pope transferred by car to Sándor Palace in Budapest.
There he will pay a courtesy visit to the President of Hungary, Ms Katalin Novák,and Prime Minister Viktor Orban, before addressing Authorities, representatives of civil society, and members of the diplomatic corps at the former Carmelite monastery, used today as the Prime Minister’s headquarters.
The Pope is visiting Hungary from 28-30 April under the “Christ is our future”.
Besides local Church and civil authorities. during the three-day visit he will meet with migrants and poor people refugees, disabled children and young people.
On the Sunday morning he will celebrate Mass in Budapest’s Kossuth Lajos Square for the country’s Catholic faithful, and in the afternoon he will meet with the Academic and Cultural World before departing back to Rome.
