BUDAPEST, Hungary (CNS) -- Praising the piety and charity of Hungarian Christians and their commitment to supporting traditional family life, Pope Francis said Christ also calls them to open their hearts -- and perhaps their borders -- to others in need.
When it comes to the church or to society, isolationism is not Christian, the pope said in a variety of ways during his visit to Budapest, Hungary, April 28-30.
Because of the 86-year-old pope's mobility issues, the trip was confined to the capital and the official schedule was lighter than usual. But, as is normal for the pope, he used part of his long midday breaks and early evenings for private meetings, including with Russian Orthodox Metropolitan Hilarion of Budapest and Hungary.
Pope Francis greets well-wishers as he arrives at the international airport in Budapest, Hungary, April 28, 2023. The pope was beginning a three-day trip to Hungary's capital. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Francis exchanges gifts with Hungarian President Katalin Novák during a courtesy visit at Sándor Palace in Budapest, Hungary, April 28, 2023. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Francis meets with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at Sándor Palace in Budapest, Hungary, April 28, 2023. The pope was beginning a three-day trip to Hungary's capital with meetings with government officials. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Francis kisses the hands of Father József Brenner, the 88-year-old brother of martyred Blessed János Brenner, during the pope's meeting April 28, 2023, with Hungarian bishops, priests, religious and seminarians in the Basilica of St. Stephen in Budapest. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Francis greets Dominican Sister Krisztina Hernády, who spoke about her vocation and her ministry during the pope's meeting Hungarian bishops, priests, seminarians and religious April 28, 2023, in the Basilica of St. Stephen in Budapest. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Francis gives his blessing at the end of a meeting with Hungarian bishops, priests, religious and seminarians in the Basilica of St. Stephen in Budapest April 28, 2023. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Francis smiles during a meeting with children at the Blessed László Batthyány-Strattmann Institute in Budapest April 29, 2023. Since 1982, the institute serves children with limited vision, mobility issues and other special needs. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Francis greets about 100 children and young people who gathered outside the Church of St. Laszlo in Budapest, Hungary, to pray for Pope Francis April 29, 2023. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Members of the Roma community in traditional dress perform a song for Pope Francis after a meeting with Roma, refugees, the poor and the many Catholics in Hungary who assist them in St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Budapest April 29, 2023. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Archbishop Péter Fülöp Kocsis, head of the Eastern Catholic Archeparchy of Hajdúdorog, welcomes Pope Francis to the Protection of the Mother of God Church in Budapest, Hungary, April 29, 2023. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Francis greets a family at the Eastern Catholic Protection of the Mother of God Church in Budapest, Hungary, April 29, 2023. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Nuns react as Pope Francis meets faithful inside Church of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary during his apostolic journey in Budapest, Hungary April 29, 2023.(OSV News photo/Marton Monus, Reuters)
Pope Francis, riding in an electric cart, arrives at László Papp Budapest Sports Arena in Budapest, Hungary, for a meeting with Hungarian young people April 29, 2023. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Francis holds up a Rubik's Cube, a puzzle invented by a Hungarian architect, during a meeting with young people in László Papp Budapest Sports Arena in Budapest, Hungary, April 29, 2023. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Hungarian young people dance for Pope Francis and more than 10,000 of their peers in László Papp Budapest Sports Arena in Budapest, Hungary, April 29, 2023. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Francis gives a thumbs up as he speaks to more than 10,000 Hungarian young people gathered in László Papp Budapest Sports Arena in Budapest, Hungary, April 29, 2023. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Francis holds his crosier as the Gospel is read during his Mass in Budapest's Kossuth Lajos Square April 30, 2023. Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo of Esztergom-Budapest is at the left. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
El Papa Francisco saluda a la multitud después de rezar ante una copia del siglo XVIII de un famoso icono mariano, a la derecha, tras su celebración de la Misa en la plaza Kossuth Lajos de Budapest el 30 de abril de 2023. (Foto de CNS/Vatican Media)
Pope Francis shakes hands with Hungarian President Katalin Novák during a farewell ceremony in Budapest, Hungary, April 30, 2023. The pontiff concluded his three-day visit to the country. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Francis listens to a question from Spanish journalist Eva Fernández during his flight from Hungary back to Rome April 30, 2023. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
