Pope Lauds Hungary's Courage

(23 Oct '06 - RV) Pope Benedict XVi has sent a letter to the president of the Republic of Hungary, on the 50th anniversary of the country's rebellion against the then communist regime. The uprising began with a popular demonstration in Budapest on October 23 1956, and was crushed by Soviet tanks on November 4. In his letter, the Holy father praised the courageous people of Hungary, for what he described as their correct evaluation at the time of the relationship between the state and citizens, beyond all ideology. The pope concluded that according to the Christian vision that inspired the various peoples who were to form the Hungarian nation, the human person, with his legitimate moral, ethical and social aspirations, takes precedence over the state.