Twenty-two years ago, on August 20, 1991 Blessed John Paul II has celebrated a holy mass at Heroes’ Square. In honour of this mass, the Municipality of Budapest has placed a memorial tablet in front of the Museum of Fine Arts. The tablet was blessed by Cardinal Primate dr. Péter Erdő and during the event Mayor István Tarlós has given a speech.
“The visit of Pope John Paul II to Hungary in 1991 has symbolized a new era. If in the time of King Saint Stephen, the Hungarian nation has entered the great family of Christian Europe, then in 1991 the country has returned to the vivid community of European nations”, said Péter Erdő.
“Love transforms into life, and presents itself as a gift!, this was the most important slogan and message of the holy mass, which had been celebrated by Pope John Paul II in 1991, on the day of Saint Stephen”, said István Tarlós. The Mayor said that “when all the weapons of the invader Soviet army were lying in the Hungarian barracks, at Heroes’ Square a young man, Viktor Orbán, by shocking the world has drawn the attention of those gathered there, and said that if we will have enough courage, we can reach freedom.” The Mayor has also added that in Budapest not only a square has been named after Pope John Paul II, but he also has a statue in one of the districts of Budapest.
The Hungarian and English language memorial tablet commemorates the visit of Pope John Paul II and the holy mass he celebrated at Heroes Square in 1991. The Municipality has covered the costs of engraving and installing limestone.
