The face-to-face meeting between Pope Francis and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in the Vatican lasted twice as long as planned, Vatican expert Márk Érszegi drew attention. An important moment of the meeting was also the symbolic exchange of gifts, with which Pope Francis acknowledged the efforts of the Hungarians to accept the Ukrainian refugees.
The fact that Viktor Orbán's first trip after the election victory led to the Vatican has a symbolic message. The prime minister himself addressed the importance of this when he said: The relationship between Hungary and the Holy See is a historical heritage, Vatican expert Márk Érszegi told Origo. He reminded: the same historical heritage was also underlined when President János Áder visited Pope II in the Lateran Basilica during his visit to the Vatican in February 2020. Pope Sylvester's grave. On the pope's tomb, you can see the scene when he sends the Holy Crown to King St. Stephen. So, explained the expert, the relationship between Hungary and the Holy See not only has a long history, but is also part of the Hungarian constitutional identity.
It is therefore a completely understandable gesture on the part of the Prime Minister that he visited the Holy Father in the name of this heritage, said Aurél Márk Érszegi.
Source: Origo
Featured image: Magyar Kurír
