A crowd of several thousand bid farewell to Father Kozma on Friday afternoon.

Father Imre Kozma, the founding president of the Hungarian Charity Service of Malta, was said to have said goodbye with a funeral mass in the St. Stephen's Basilica on Friday afternoon. On the day of the funeral, the basilica was closed after the noon bell, and only the mourners and those who had completed pre-registration could enter until the evening, who were also allowed into the lower church after 4 p.m.

Father Imre Kozma, known throughout the world for his kindness and helping missions, was laid to rest here.

Thousands gathered in the square in front of the basilica on Friday afternoon

- writes the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service. One by one, the mourners poured out their condolences.

At the funeral, actor Imre Csuja recited Jenő Dsida's poem The Street Sweeper

László Kövér, Speaker of the Parliament, János Áder, former President of the Republic, and Sándor Pintér, Minister of the Interior, also paid their respects on the spot. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán also arrived at the scene a little before three o'clock, who paid tribute to the deceased father with a bunch of white flowers and a bow.

Father István Kozma, monk of the Order of Mercy, apostolic prothonotary, titular abbot, founding president of the Hungarian Charity Service of Malta, former delegate of the Hungarian Delegation of the Order of Mercy and the squire of the monastery in Budapest, honorary conventual chaplain of the Grand Cross of the Sovereign Order of Malta. 85 of his life, 61 of his sacrificial priesthood, 25 of his monastic vows. He died on October 17, 2024. 

Featured image: Viktor Orbán/Facebook