Skip to main content

Dr. Tamás Sulyok held discussions on peace at the Vatican

The Hungarian Head of State was received in a private audience by Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. During the meeting, which lasted more than half an hour, the parties reviewed developments in the international situation, with particular regard to conflict zones and opportunities for promoting peace. The President of Hungary emphasised Hungary's commitment to the peaceful resolution of conflicts around the world and highlighted the importance of Christian values and the role of family. During the meeting, they also discussed religious freedom and the support of endangered Christian communities living in various parts of the world.

As part of the visit, the President also held talks with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See. The parties praised the stable relations between Hungary and the Holy See, as well as the societal and social role undertaken by the Catholic Church in Hungary. They reviewed the situation of the Catholic institutional system in Hungary and also touched on initiatives aimed at helping persecuted Christians. Dr. Tamás Sulyok presented the Pope with a gift from Hungary, a faithful replica of the 15th-century statue of the Madonna of Toporc, made of Herend porcelain, and invited the Holy Father to visit Hungary.

Following the talks at the Vatican, the Hungarian Head of State held talks with the Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Fra' John Dunlop, at the Order's headquarters in Rome.

President Tamás Sulyok and First Lady Zsuzsanna Nagy also attended the Hungarian-language Holy Mass celebrated on the first Sunday of Lent at the Basilica of St. Stephen the Martyr in Rome, which was conducted by Archbishop Gergely Kovács of Gyulafehérvár. The ceremony was attended by Hungarian priests serving in Rome, students of the Pontifical Hungarian Institute, and members of the Hungarian community in the Italian capital. The homily stated that Lent is a time of change and spiritual renewal, during which people reorder their lives in accordance with God.