Following a week of controversy surrounding her pardon of a director involved in hiding cases of pedophilia, Hungary’s president, Katalin Novák, announced her resignation on Saturday. Known for her close ties to ultranationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Novák expressed remorse and apologized for the harm caused. In a televised speech, she declared her resignation, cutting short her visit to Qatar. Novák, formerly the Minister of Family Affairs, confessed to making an error in judgment by pardoning the deputy director of a children’s home, where the manager had been abusing minors for an extended period. The controversial pardon, granted during Pope Francis’ visit to Budapest in April 2023, came to light last week when it was uncovered by the press. In response, opposition groups and political parties immediately called for Novák’s resignation, deeming the pardon “unacceptable.” While the Hungarian presidency mainly carries representative responsibilities, it also entails the signing of pardons based on proposals from the government.