When Soviet troops surrounded the building of the Hungarian Parliament on the morning of 4 November 1956 – where Cardinal Mindszenty had also been summoned shortly before – he was suddenly advised to flee to the nearby American Embassy. What was expected to be a few days of asylum became nearly fifteen years of enforced residence, a form of “semi-captivity”.
Colourful postcards greeting the cardinal flooded the embassy mail in the first weeks. However, opportunities for contact with the outside world quickly diminished. The American ambassador made his own office area on the third floor – two rooms and a bathroom – available to the cardinal.
Embassy table
When Soviet occupying forces surrounded the Parliament building on the morning of 4 November, Cardinal Mindszenty was also inside. Realising he could no longer return safely to Buda, he fled – on the suggestion of those present – to the nearby American Embassy. What was believed to be a short-term refuge turned into nearly fifteen years of forced residence. One of the embassy tables served as his altar from the very first day; it is displayed here in the wall niche, with a crucifix and altar cloth placed on it.
The full story of the embassy table and additional interesting details are shared during our guided tours.
Audience at the Vatican
At the invitation of Pope Paul VI, the cardinal left Hungary and first travelled to Rome. This interior evokes the residential tower that served as Mindszenty’s temporary home during his short stay in the Vatican in the autumn of 1971.
In the Vatican, Cardinal Mindszenty was personally received by the Holy Father, and concelebrated Mass with him in the Sistine Chapel.
After giving him one of his pectoral crosses and his ring, the Holy Father also gifted Cardinal Mindszenty the episcopal mantle displayed here.
