VATICAN CITY

Pope Francis to visit Hungary, Slovakia in September

Francis' visit to Slovakia will include the cities of Bratislava, Presov, Kosice and Sastin

Pope Francis. Archive

H. J. I. / AFP

Pope Francis said Sunday he would visit Hungary and Slovakia from September 12 to 15, including celebrating a mass in Hungarian capital Budapest.

-I'm happy to announce that from September 12 to 15... I will go to Slovakia for a pastoral visit- Francis told pilgrims gathered on Rome's St Peter's Square for his traditional Sunday prayer.

He added that he would celebrate the closing mass of the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest on September 12.

Francis' visit to Slovakia will include the cities of Bratislava, Presov, Kosice and Sastin, the Vatican said in a statement.

Although more detailed plans for the trip will be announced later, there was no sign the pope intends to meet Hungary's political leaders during his stop in Budapest.