By Deborah Castellano Lubov

The Apostolic Nuncio to Hungary, Archbishop Michael Wallace Banach, insists that Hungarians love Pope Francis’ joy and sincerity, and appreciate his maintaining his promise to return to visit them after his brief 12 September 2021 stay in Budapest for the closing Mass of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress.

In an interview granted to Vatican News - Vatican Radio for the occasion of the Holy Father's Apostolic Journey to the country, the long-serving American diplomat, who has served in several continents, granted his insight into the realities for the faithful in the country and the meaning of the Pope's return to Hungarian soil, marking his 41st Apostolic Journey abroad.

He specifically discusses the Central European nation's vibrant Catholicism, but also challenges, and his personal hope that the Apostolic Journey's theme 'Christ is our future,' can continue to shape the Hungarian faithful's mentalities and lives, even once Pope Francis' flight has departed Budapest, and he has returned to Rome.