Pope Francis accepts resignation of Cardinal Schönborn from the Archbishopric of Vienna

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Christoph Schönborn as Archbishop of Vienna (Austria) this Wednesday, January 22, coinciding with his 80th birthday.

Likewise, the Holy Father has appointed Father Josef Grünwidl as apostolic administrator of the archdiocese of the Austrian capital until the appointment of a successor.

Father Grünwidl will have the responsibility of managing the diocese without making significant changes. In a press conference after learning of the papal decision, he hoped “that this interim leadership will not last too long and that my position will end again with the appointment of a new archbishop in the near future.”

The press spokesman for the Archdiocese of Vienna, Michael Prüller, highlighted that “the fact that Rome has thus created a provisional solution shows us that, apparently, Pope Francis has not yet made a decision on who should be the next archbishop. of Vienna.

“However, as the process is likely to be very advanced, we expect a decision in the coming weeks,” he added.

Cardinal Christoph Schönborn was the 32nd Archbishop of Vienna and his mandate lasted more than 29 years. He is currently president of Pope Francis’ Council of Cardinals, known as C9, and a member of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches.

In a video message, Cardinal Schönborn expressed his gratitude to the faithful of the Archdiocese of Vienna: “Above all, I have to thank all of you.”

He also stated that “the Church only works together” and stressed that the community in Vienna “has become really strong.”

The now Archbishop Emeritus of Vienna also expressed his joy at the appointment of Fr. Josef Grünwidl, whom he referred to as “a dear friend for many years.”

Father Josef Grünwidl was born on January 31, 1963 in Hollabrunn (Austria). He studied at the archbishop’s college in Hollabrunn, where he graduated in 1981. He later entered the seminary in Vienna.

In addition to studying Theology at the University of Vienna, he also studied at the Vienna Higher School of Music. In fact, he went so far as to say: “Music is my hobby, being a priest is my vocation.”

On June 29, 1988 he was ordained a priest in St. Stephen’s Cathedral. He has been executive president of the Council of Priests of Vienna, a position from which he resigned after being appointed Episcopal Vicar for the Southern Vicariate by Cardinal Schönborn in January 2023. He was also named honorary canon of the Chapter of St. Stephen’s Cathedral in November 2024 .