The Pope asked Hungarian citizens to open their doors to immigrants Following a three-day visit to the central European nation with a stron...
The Pope asked Hungarian citizens to open their doors to immigrants
Following a three-day visit to the central European nation with a strongly anti-immigrant prime minister, Pope Francis on Sunday urged Hungarians to "open the door" to immigrants.
Every time the Pope travels to Budapest, Hungary, he emphasizes the importance of embracing immigrants—those who are escaping war or extreme poverty.
The remarks diverge from those made by Viktor Orban, the prime minister of Hungary.
Since taking office in 2010, Orban has welcomed Ukrainian refugees and defended European policies.
The Pope presided over an inauguration ceremony in Budapest Square in the nation's center in front of an estimated 50,000 spectators, including Prime Minister Orban.
The 86-year-old Pope of Argentina requested that everyone present, including the meeting's political and social leaders, open their eyes.
The pope prayed that God would permit us to unlock these doors.
It was "sad and painful... to see the doors closed," he continued.
The Pope prayed for the Russian people and the conflict-affected Ukrainians at the conclusion of the meeting.