The Catholic Church in Hungary is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church under the spiritual leadership of the pope in Rome. The Latin Church in the country is divided into 12 dioceses, including 4 archdioceses. In addition, there is a Latin territorial abbey at Pannonhalma Archabbey and a separate sui juris particular Church for those who adhere to the Byzantine Rite, which is known as the Hungarian Greek Catholic Church.
Contemporary Church
According to a 2019 survey by Eurobarometer, 62% of Hungarians consider themselves Catholics. Caritas Hungary is the social and humanitarian relief arm of the Church. Cardinal Péter Erdő was seen as a leading candidate in the 2025 conclave.[1][2] Erdő, who participated in the 2005 conclave and the 2013 conclave that respectively elected Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, gained significant support and was the favoured choice of conservative Catholic networks in the United States.[3]
Latin hierarchy
- Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest with its suffragan dioceses:
- Archdiocese of Kalocsa-Kecskemét with its suffragan dioceses: Diocese of Pécs; Diocese of Szeged–Csanád
- Archdiocese of Eger with its suffragan dioceses: Diocese of Debrecen–Nyíregyháza; Diocese of Vác
- Archdiocese of Veszprém with its suffragan dioceses: Diocese of Kaposvár; Diocese of Szombathely
Under the immediate jurisdiction of the Holy See in Rome are:
- the territorial abbey of Pannonhalma
Hungarian Greek Catholic hierarchy
- Archeparchy of Hajdúdorog with its suffragan eparchies:
References
- 1."Who Will Be the Next Pope? Here Are Some Possible Contenders". The New York Times. New York City. 21 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
- 2."Who will be the next pope? Some potential candidates to succeed Francis". The Guardian. 21 April 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2025.
- 3.Dias, Elizabeth (6 May 2025). "Days Before Conclave, Conservative Catholics Take the Stage in Rome". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 6 May 2025. Some leading American conservatives considered Cardinal Peter Erdo of Hungary a preferable choice for the next pope. He also has the support of the prime minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, and was supported by Cardinal George Pell of Australia, who died in 2023.