"We fondly remember the Holy Father's visits to Hungary in 2021 and 2023, when it was clear that he held the Hungarian people close to his heart," Cardinal Peter Erdo, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, told state news channel M1 on April 21 shortly after the death of the pontiff.

The pontiff did not see Europe through the lens of a European, but as a Latin American. "This is important because Europe is not the world; it is very important and we love it, but the world is bigger. And we must be Europeans while also perceiving the movement of the whole world. This is something we could learn from him," Erdo added.

The 72-year-old Hungarian cardinal is widely regarded as a serious contender to become the next pope. He has long been considered "papabile", a term used for cardinals seen as viable candidates for the post. His name has surfaced prominently in discussions surrounding the upcoming conclave.

Erdo is known for his conservative theological stance, particularly on issues like remarriage and divorce; however, he is also recognised for his pragmatic approach and diplomatic skills, which have allowed him to build bridges across different factions within the Church. Unlike some traditionalists, he maintained a cooperative relationship with Pope Francis and actively participated in synodal processes, including serving as Relator General at the Synod on the Family.

While Erdo's close ties to Viktor Orban's nationalist government and his controversial comments during the 2015 migrant crisis, where he likened accepting refugees to facilitating human trafficking, have drawn criticism, his balanced profile appeals to many seeking a unifying figure who can uphold doctrinal clarity without deepening internal division.

The other potential candidates include Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines), often referred to as the "Asian Francis," for his known for his progressive views and close alignment with those of Pope Francis, Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy), the Vatican's Secretary of State, and Cardinal Angelo Scola (Italy), the former Archbishop of Milan, who was a leading candidate in the 2013 conclave.

Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjen said all Hungarians were grateful to the pope, who called on Hungarians three times by visiting the "national shrine of Csiksomlyo (Sumuleu Ciuc)" during his visit to Transylvania before attending the Eucharistic Congress in Budapest and then making an apostolic visit to Hungary.

"Holy Father, we thank you for everything," Viktor Orban wrote in a post on Facebook, in commemoration of the late pontiff. The prime minister's post included a black-and-white photograph of himself with the Pope, with the caption: "We say farewell."

Pope Francis visited Hungary twice during his papacy.

On September 12, 2021, he made a short visit to Budapest to conclude the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress, before departing on a longer pastoral visit to Slovakia. During this visit, he celebrated Mass in Heroes' Square, attended by over 100,000 faithful. He also met with Hungarian President János Áder and Prime Minister Orban.

He undertook a more extensive Apostolic Journey to Hungary at the end of April 2023, focusing on themes of peace, migration and European unity. The three-day visit included meetings with state leaders, clergy, youth, and marginalised communities. He celebrated Mass in Kossuth Lajos Square, attended by approximately 50,000 people.

The Pope' return to Hungary in April 2023 was seized on by Orbán as a diplomatic win, despite the gulf between the two leaders on issues such as migration, inclusion and LGBTQ rights.

The three-day 2023 visit provided the government ample opportunity to reframe ties with the Vatican. Pro-government media cast the Pope’s visit as a vindication of Hungary’s conservative policies. 

While the pontiff’s 2021 stopover lasted only a few hours and was widely seen as a snub to Orban’s hardline nationalism, the three-day 2023 visit provided the government ample opportunity to reframe ties with the Vatican.

The government intends to declare the day of Pope Francis's funeral a national day of mourning, Semjen said.