On 29 April 2025, the Hungarian Parliamentary Prayer Group held its 174th meeting. During the extraordinary prayer breakfast, Imre Vejkey, the leader of the prayer group, along with its members remembered Pope Francis.
Imre Vejkey first mentioned the Holy Father's modesty and humility, with which he set an example for all of us. It was proof of this that when he was elected, he chose to live not in the Apostolic Palace but in the much more modest St Martha's House.
He recalled his directness and the signs of modern times that he felt and understood. He was a person of dialogue, who could talk to everyone from the poorest to the billionaires, from prison inmates to academics. It is hard to imagine a human home on earth where he was not immediately welcomed with love. His smile captivated everyone.
We Hungarians are particularly sad to see him gone. He came to us three times, including his visit to Csíksomlyó, so he knew and understood the problems and joys of our people. We know that he accompanied our lives with love and interest outside the Pope's visit.
It was an uplifting moment when the Holy Father personally led the Lord's Prayer in Heroes' Square, Budapest, on 12 September 2021, after the closing Mass at the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress. In his speech, he expressed his heartfelt thanks and asked God's blessing on all Hungarians:
"Finally, let us pray the Lord's Prayer on the day we celebrate the name of the Virgin Mary. In the old days, you Hungarians, out of respect, did not say the name of Mary, but addressed her as Queen. May the "Blessed Virgin, your great patroness of old" accompany and bless you! My blessing from this great city wishes to reach everyone, especially children and young people, the elderly and the sick, the poor and the excluded. I say with you and for you: God bless the Hungarian!"
Recalling Pope Francis' homily on Holy Saturday, Imre Vejkey stressed that the Holy Father proclaimed hope in the lives of people and in the world, and recalled that this is the motto of this year's Holy Year. All our lives can radiate hope, and all it takes is a few small gestures towards our fellow human beings. In proclaiming the joy of the Easter Resurrection, he stressed that in it lies the hope of our faith and our life. Therefore, let us not forget that Jesus Christ is not only a hero of the past but lives among us, within us, today. We must therefore seek Him in our lives, in our daily lives. We must hear Him speaking to us, calling us.
At the end of the commemoration, Imre Vejkey asked the members of the prayer group to pray for the salvation of our deceased Pastor.