In a message sent to the Vatican, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán paid tribute to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, highlighting that in our memory he will always remain an example of high spirituality, Bertalan Havasi, the Prime Minister’s press chief informed the Hungarian news agency MTI on Sunday.

According to the Prime Minister, Benedict XVI will always be remembered for his courage and commitment to interreligious dialogue.

Mr Orbán, he wrote, gratefully remembers his private audience with Pope Benedict in 2010. He added that their conversations about faith, the sanctity of the family and the importance of protecting our common Christian roots have strongly influenced his views ever since.

Now, at a time of mourning, we join the prayers and offer our sincere condolences to the priests and followers of the Catholic Church, Mr Orbán wrote in his message sent to the Vatican.