Pope Leo XIV Sends His First Message to Hungarians

Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok has published Pope Leo XIV’s personal letter of appreciation on his social media page. With the letter, the Holy Father responded to the congratulations and support of the Hungarian Head of State, emphasizing the deep ties between the Holy See and Hungary.

“I have received the good wishes and blessings of Pope Leo XIV with the deepest respect,” wrote the President of Hungary, making the letter public. He emphasized that “the words of the Holy Father—in the spirit of faith, peace, and service—are a source of spiritual strength and hope for our nation.”

In his letter, Pope Leo XIV expressed his appreciation for the presence of the Hungarian delegation at his inauguration ceremony in May. “I was delighted to receive your warm message with the good wishes you conveyed to me on behalf of the Hungarian people after my election to the Chair of the Apostle Peter,” the Holy Father wrote in his letter.

The official Hungarian delegation was led by President Tamás Sulyok himself at the ceremony in May. Following the inauguration, the Hungarian President not only congratulated the new pope personally, but also invited him to visit Hungary.

President Sulyok Invites Pope Leo XIV to Hungary

The Holy Mass marking the beginning of the Petrine ministry of the new Pope was attended by the President as head of the Hungarian delegation.Continue reading

A particularly touching part of the papal letter is the promise to pray for the Hungarian people:

I ask you to accept my sincere respect and appreciation, as well as my prayerful wishes for the peace and prosperity of Hungary,”

wrote the bishop of Rome.

Sulyok responded to the Holy Father’s message: “I think with joy and gratitude of your prayers, which you offered to the Almighty as blessings for Hungary, for the prosperity of our people, and for the lives of our compatriots.” He concluded his post with a Latin phrase expressing deep solidarity: “Deo gratias et caritati Ecclesiae.” (Thanks be to God and for the love of the Church).

Pope Leo XIV had already contacted Hungarian believers in May. He received bishops, priests, and a group of 250 Greek Catholic pilgrims from Hungary led by Fülöp Kocsis, Metropolitan Archbishop of Hajdúdorog.

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