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By Delia Gallagher, Jessie Gretener and Hannah Ryan, CNN
Pope Francis urged Hungarians to be more “open” and “considered” at an open-air mass in Budapest after meeting the hard-core prime minister of the country, Viktor Orban on Sunday.
Orban, a self-proclaimed defender of Christian values, rolled back civil liberties, ranging from migrants to LGBTQ + media freedom rights and has worked to erode the independence of the judiciary and academia in Hungary.
The Pope’s remarks seemed to criticize some of these policies, stressing the need for tolerance.
“This is what I wish you: may the cross be your bridge between the past and the future. Religious sentiment has been the cornerstone of this nation, so attached to its roots. However, the cross, planted in the ground, not only invites us to be well rooted, but it lifts and extends its arms towards everyone ”, declared François during his address while presiding over the closing mass of the Congress. international Eucharistic.
“My wish is for you to be like this: grounded and open, rooted and considerate,” he added.
Francis made a brief stopover in Hungary before a four-day trip to Slovakia.
When he landed in the Hungarian capital Budapest early on Sunday, Francis said he was happy that papal journeys had “restarted” and that he would bring “words and greetings to many.”
This is the Pope’s 34th international trip and the first since he surgery for colon diverticulitis in July.
The-CNN-Wire
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Journalist Bálint Bárdi in Budapest contributed to the report
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