Hungarian cardinal tortured by communists remembered 50 years after his death

Rome, Italy, Oct 26, 2025 / 06:00 am

Hungarian Church leaders recently gathered in Rome to commemorate Venerable Cardinal József Mindszenty, the persecuted prelate who died in exile 50 years ago and became an enduring symbol of resistance to totalitarian regimes.

“Rome and the homeland — these are the two stars, and two goals, which also indicate to me the direction to take.” This quote from Mindszenty is featured at an exhibition currently on display at the Hungarian Academy in Rome, highlighting the cardinal’s fidelity to the Holy See and his country during a time of brutal repression in Central Europe.

Mindszenty was imprisoned under multiple regimes in Hungary. He served as bishop of Veszprém during World War II and was later appointed archbishop of Esztergom before being elevated t