file photo:Pope Francis shakes hands with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban at Budapest's Museum of Fine Arts.AP
Pope Francis arrived in Hungary on Sunday on his first foreign trip since undergoing intestinal surgery in July, kicking off a four-day pilgrimage with an awkward meeting with Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who represents the type of populist, nationalist leader Francis frequently criticizes.
The Vatican said the meeting was held in a ``cordial atmosphere`` and lasted longer than expected 40 minutes.
``Among the various topics discussed were the role of the church in the country, the commitment to the protection of the environment, the protection and promotion of the family,`` said a Vatican statement.
Francis is only spending seven hours in Budapest before moving Sunday afternoon onto a four-day tour of neighboring Slovakia. The lopsided itinerary suggested that Francis wanted to avoid giving Orban the political boost that comes with hosting a pope for a proper state visit ahead of elections next spring.
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