According to the statement, during the talks, the parties focused their attention on the war in Ukraine, bearing in mind the humanitarian consequences of the war and efforts to promote peace. The Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the central role of the family and the protection of young people were also discussed. Hungary’s Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjen was also in attendance at the meeting.
Nico Spuntoni, Vatican expert for the Italian newspaper Il Tempo, commented on the significance of the meeting. He said that since the outbreak of the conflict, the focus of Pope Francis’s pontificate has been on inducing dialogue between Ukraine and Russia.
The bishop of Rome and the Hungarian PM are working to bring the conflict to an end as soon as possible. The Vatican expert said he was convinced that the Hungarian prime minister could act as a bridge, a kind of mediator between the Pope and the newly elected US President Donald Trump, who is also known to be preparing a peace mission.
The positions of the Holy See and the Hungarian government are the same, both sides are working on diplomatic preparations for peace in Ukraine. Although they are operating on parallel paths, both are trying to achieve peace through dialogue. Not only have the Secretariats of State of the Holy See achieved major accomplishments, but also Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, who as the Holy Father’s special envoy, has done much to alleviate the situation and to secure the release of prisoners of war.
Hungary has made progress in reducing tensions between the warring parties.
Spuntoni also said that Pope Francis expressed his appreciation to Viktor Orban for helping to further the start of dialogue and for the generosity of Hungarians in aiding and welcoming Ukrainian refugees.
According to the Italian press, Viktor Orban’s visit to the Vatican is more than simply a reception of a premier of a European country, but is of geopolitical importance. What is at stake is the preservation of Christian values and the establishment of peace in Europe. And in this, Budapest and the Vatican are close allies.
Cover photo: Pope Francis (left) receives Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban (right) in private audience at the Vatican on December 4, 2024 (Photo: MTI/Vatican Media)
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Publish date : 2024-12-04 07:59:00
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