Pope Francis says "I wish you this, may the cross be your bridge between the past and the future! Religious sentiment is the lifeblood of this nation..." at Angelus in Hungary - FULL TEXT

 APOSTOLIC JOURNEY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS

TO BUDAPEST, ON THE OCCASION OF THE CONCLUSIVE HOLY MASS
OF THE 52nd INTERNATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS, AND TO SLOVAKIA
(12-15 SEPTEMBER 2021)

POPE FRANCIS at the ANGELUS

Heroes' Square (Budapest) - Sunday, 12 September 2021

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Dear brothers and sisters ,

Eucharist means “thanksgiving” and at the end of this celebration, which closes the Eucharistic Congress and my visit to Budapest, I would like to give thanks from my heart. Thanks to the great Hungarian Christian family, which I wish to embrace in its rites, in its history, in its Catholic sisters and brothers and in other Confessions, all on the way to full unity. In this regard, I cordially greet Patriarch Bartholomew, a Brother who honors us with his presence. Thanks, in particular, to my beloved Brother Bishops, to the priests, men and women consecrated men and women, and to all of you, dear faithful! A big thank you to those who worked so hard for the realization of the Eucharistic Congress and of this day.

In renewing my gratitude to the civil and religious authorities who welcomed me, I would like to say köszönöm  [thank you]: thank you, people of Hungary. The hymn that accompanied the Congress addresses you thus: "For a thousand years the cross was the pillar of your salvation, even now may the sign of Christ be for you the promise of a better future" I wish you this, may the cross be your bridge between the past and the future! Religious sentiment is the lifeblood of this nation, so attached to its roots. But the cross, planted in the ground, in addition to inviting us to take root well, raises and extends its arms towards everyone: it exhorts us to keep our roots firm, but without entrenchments; to draw from the sources, opening ourselves to the thirsty of our time. My wish is that you are like this: grounded and open, grounded and respectful. Isten éltessen! [Best wishes!] The "Mission Cross" is the symbol of this Congress: may you lead you to announce with your life the liberating Gospel of God's boundless tenderness for each one. In today's famine of love, it is the nourishment that man awaits.

Today, not far from here, in Warsaw, two witnesses of the Gospel are proclaimed Blessed: Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński and Elisabetta Czacka, foundress of the Franciscan Sisters Servants of the Cross. Two figures who knew the cross closely: the Primate of Poland, arrested and segregated, was always a courageous shepherd according to the heart of Christ, herald of freedom and human dignity; Sister Elizabeth, who lost her sight very young, devoted her whole life to helping the blind. The example of the new blesseds stimulates us to transform darkness into light with the power of love.

Finally we pray the Angelus, on the day we venerate the most holy name of Mary. In ancient times, out of respect, you Hungarians did not pronounce the name of Mary, but called her with the same honorary title used for the queen. May the " Blessed Queen, your ancient patroness " accompany you and bless you! My Blessing, from this great city, wants to reach everyone, especially children and young people, the elderly and the sick, the poor and the excluded. With you and for you I say: Isten, áldd meg a magyart! [God bless the Hungarians!]

FULL TEXT Source: Vatican.va official Translation - Screenshot from source