Katalin Novák: We are looking forward to the visit of the Holy Father!

I was pleased to be informed that Pope Francis also officially accepted my invitation and will visit Hungary from 28-30 of April – Sándor Palace communicated the message of Katalin Novák to MTI on Monday.

In her Facebook-post, Katalin Novák wrote: "We are looking forward to the visit of the Holy Father!"

According to the programme published on katolikus.hu, Katalin Novák will welcome the Pope in a ceremony at the square in front of Sándor Palace on Friday, followed by a courtesy visit of the Holy Father to the President of Hungary in Sándor Palace. The Pope will then proceed to a meeting with the Prime Minister, and will then meet with the representatives of state authorities, social life and the diplomatic corps in the building of the Carmelite Monastery. The Pope will deliver a speech at the event.

On Friday afternoon, the Pope will meet bishops, priests, deacons, monks, seminarians and pastoral staff at Saint Stephen Basilica, where he will also give a speech.

On Saturday, Pope Francis will meet refugees and the poor at the St. Elisabeth Church of the House of Árpád. He will then meet young people at the Papp László Sports Arena, giving speeches at both venues.

On Sunday morning, the Holy Father will celebrate Holy Mass at Lajos Kossuth Square, and will meet, for example, with representatives of Hungary’s academic and cultural life.

The Pope’s official farewell ceremony is set to take place at Franz Liszt International Airport late on Sunday afternoon.