Magyar on papal audience: It was a very moving encounter, one that will have a defining impact on my entire life

“It was inspiring, to say the least. It was a very moving encounter—one that I believe will have a defining impact on my entire life. That’s all I can say for now; perhaps I’ll have more to say in a few days,” said Péter Magyar, standing in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, after Pope Leo XIV received him in a private audience. According to the Hungarian Prime Minister, they had an open and friendly conversation, as if they had known each other for a long time.

In a post on Facebook, Magyar wrote that at the end of the meeting, he had requested a papal blessing for Hungary and had invited the Holy Father to visit the country.

After his visit to the Vatican, the Prime Minister held a brief press conference opposite St. Peter’s Basilica, which was also broadcast by ATV. “It was a great honor to represent our country before Pope Leo XIV as the Hungarian Prime Minister,” said Péter Magyar.

The Prime Minister recalled that they had started the day at the Hungarian Chapel in St. Peter’s Basilica, where a Mass was celebrated for them. The Hungarian delegation was then shown the tomb of St. Peter and the entire basilica. “I was glad that I could pay my respects at the tomb of Pope John Paul II before I could go to see the Pope and be received by him in a private audience. I have quoted Pope John Paul II often; one of his mottos, ‘Do not be afraid,’ has given and continues to give strength to many of us,” said the head of the Hungarian government.

“It was a very open,—and if I may say so—friendly conversation,”

he said about his encounter with the Holy Father. Péter Magyar recalled that Hungary and the changes taking place there were frequently discussed during the audience, as were the challenges facing the Hungarian and European people, such as the war and the energy crisis. They also spoke at length about artificial intelligence.

“We discussed the situation of the Hungarian churches, the Catholic Church, the social, educational, and other services provided by the Church, and Hungarian Christian traditions.” Leo XIV told Magyar that he had been there during the most recent papal visit to Hungary in 2023—though not yet as pope—so he is familiar with Budapest.

“His Holiness knew a great deal about the situation in Hungary, the situation in Central Europe, and the situation of Hungarian minorities abroad,” said Péter Magyar.

The head of government invited the Pope to Hungary, indicating that they would be delighted if he were to include the country in his itinerary, should he undertake an apostolic journey through Central Europe. “I mentioned to him that John Paul II had visited Hungary twice and said that we would be delighted if he could come as well, adding that we await him in Hungary with great affection.” At the end of their conversation, Magyar presented his gifts—which we wrote about in a previous article—and the Pope received them with pleasure. Magyar also received a personal gift, but he did not go into detail about it.

In response to a question from the public media, Péter Magyar revealed that they spoke with the Pope in English and that the private audience lasted about half an hour. Their conversation touched on the war in Ukraine and the peace process, but they also discussed European politics and the recent series of crises. “They asked how things were with the Danube; they were very well-informed about the low water levels and the challenges we have been facing,” said the Prime Minister. The Pope also asked Magyar about his path to becoming Prime Minister.

“He was surprised when I told him that I came from completely outside of politics and that we had managed to build such a large community.”

According to him, the Pope listened with interest as he described the large community they had created and how many young people they had managed to involve. They also discussed how public life and politics need to move closer to the people, and how important direct, personal communication is. “It really was a great conversation; it was as if we had known each other already.

In response to a reporter’s question about their visit to the Vatican clinic, Péter Magyar said that although it is small, they treat more than 100 people there every day. “These are people who otherwise would not have access to health care.” In keeping with custom, they donated 6,000 euros’ worth of medication to this clinic on behalf of the Hungarian government. “The custom here is that you don’t bring expensive gifts or a carriage, but rather, in accordance with the Pope’s request, you can offer services or medication.”

Responding to a question about persecuted Christians, the Prime Minister said that the Tisza government would like to continue the “Hungary Helps” program—initiated by the Orbán administration—after a full review has been completed. The selection of the program's leaders is currently underway, there are dozens of applicants. The Vatican leadership has been informed of this, as well as of the fact that Hungary continues to support standing up for persecuted Christians. “We will continue the program, but we will scrutinize every penny more closely than was done before,” Magyar said.