A far-right activist, György Budaházy, convicted of terrorism, was pardoned in Hungary by President Katalin Novák before Pope Francis's visit. Budaházy left prison on horseback on Friday night. The pardon was part of several granted by Novák in light of the papal visit. Pope Francis began a three-day visit to Hungary on Saturday, meeting with refugees, including many from Ukraine, at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Budapest.

The article discusses the annual 'border opening' ceremony held at the tripoint where Hungary, Serbia, and Romania meet, a tradition since 1997 organized by the Danube-Kris-Mures-Tisa (DKMT) euroregion. Despite a new fence built along the Hungary-Serbia border to deter migrants, the ceremony symbolizes the strong ties between the border villages of Kubekhaza, Beba Veche, and Rabe. The fence has affected local activities such as the children's race, and while it is seen as a political measure, it has not changed the villagers' relationships. The mayors of the three villages oppose the fence, viewing it as a barrier to future collaborative projects and a reminder of past restrictions. Plans for a joint border crossing station and a business park are discussed, but progress is uncertain due to diplomatic tensions and skepticism about the projects' feasibility.

Viktor Orban won a fourth consecutive term as Hungary's leader, with his Fidesz party securing a two-thirds majority in Parliament. The election, influenced by the Ukraine conflict, saw Orban label President Zelensky an opponent. Despite scrutiny over his ties with Putin, Orban's victory signals continued tension with the EU, as he promotes Christian Democrat, conservative, and nationalistic politics. The opposition acknowledged defeat but questioned the election's democratic nature. A referendum on LGBTQ issues failed to meet the validity threshold.

Viktor Orban won a fourth consecutive term as Hungary's leader, with his Fidesz party securing a two-thirds majority in Parliament. The election, influenced by the Ukraine conflict, saw Orban avoid condemning Putin and label Zelensky an opponent. Despite a more organized opposition, Orban's victory was decisive. The EU's relationship with Hungary remains strained due to Orban's control over national institutions and legislation targeting migrants and the LGBTQ+ community. A referendum on banning educational content promoting homosexuality and gender reassignment failed to meet the required votes for validity.

The European Union, through official Frans Timmermans, has questioned Hungary's new law aimed at potentially closing Central European University, founded by George Soros. Despite pressure from the EU and US officials like Mark C. Toner, Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government is reconsidering the legislation. Hungary's education minister Laszlo Palkovics has proposed a potential loophole for the university to remain operational. The university, established post-Communism in 1991, is at the center of Orban's campaign against Soros and 'elite capitalist' cosmopolitan values, as Orban promotes 'illiberal democracy.'

The article by Balint Bardi focuses on the plight of refugees waiting at the Hungarian-Serbian border to request asylum. Refugees, including Ahmed, a law student from Damascus, are forced to live in squalid conditions for weeks without proper shelter, food, or sanitation as they wait to be admitted into Hungary's transit zones. These zones, which are legally neutral spaces, are managed by the Office of Immigration and Nationality (OIN) and prioritize vulnerable groups for entry. Single males often face long waits, and the slow processing of asylum claims by OIN has led to backlogs and poor conditions outside the transit zones. The UNHCR and Human Rights Watch have criticized the situation, which does not align with Hungary's international obligations. OIN claims there is no legal requirement to accommodate people waiting to enter but provides food packets daily.

Hungarian lawmakers have rejected a constitutional amendment proposed by Prime Minister Viktor Orban that sought to ban the relocation of refugees from other parts of the European Union to Hungary. This move represents a setback for Orban, who has been a vocal opponent of the EU's migrant resettlement program. The failed amendment follows an earlier unsuccessful referendum on a similar issue, which did not pass due to low voter turnout. Orban's stance is against an EU program that aims to distribute migrants from the Middle East and Africa, currently in Greece and Italy, across EU member states. Hungary was expected to take in 1,294 of the approximately 160,000 migrants under this scheme.

Hungarian lawmakers rejected Prime Minister Viktor Orban's proposed constitutional amendment to ban the resettlement of refugees from the European Union. The far-right Jobbik party, which usually aligns with Orban's Fidesz party on migration, played a key role in the defeat. Jobbik's leader, Gabor Vona, emphasized the need to protect Hungary from all threats, not just migrants. The Fidesz party has seen political weakening since losing its supermajority in Parliament. Despite the setback, Fidesz vowed to continue the struggle against migration, while analysts view the defeat as a minor failure for Orban's government.

The article discusses the impact of a migrant camp on the residents of Kormend, Hungary, a town near the Austrian border. Locals, including a man named Laszlo, express fear and concern for safety, leading to increased sales of pepper spray and restrictions on women's attire at a local Tesco. The far-right party Jobbik held a demonstration against the camp, and the Hungarian government plans a referendum on EU refugee quotas. Xenophobia in Hungary is reported to be at an all-time high, with a TARKI survey showing only 1% of Hungarians have a positive attitude towards migrants. Despite government cuts to integration funding, volunteers and NGOs like Welcome to Hungary continue to support refugees, including offering Hungarian language lessons.