The wait is over. The Archdiocese of Vienna is getting a new archbishop. The Apostolic Nuncio to Austria, Archbishop Pedro López Quintana, delivered the Holy Father's decision to the Austrian government on Wednesday afternoon, October 15. Shortly before 4:30 p.m., he arrived at the Foreign Ministry to officially announce the Pope's choice.
According to diplomatic protocol, the Austrian cabinet must now confirm the decision in a so-called circular vote, which is only a formality. Once approved, the name of the new Archbishop of Vienna will be published in the Vatican Bulletin (Bollettino Vaticano).
The big favorite
The 62-year-old Monsignor Josef Grünwidl, who has been administering the Archdiocese of Vienna as Apostolic Administrator since Pope Francis accepted the resignation of the previous Archbishop of Vienna, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, on January 22, has the best chances.
The Austrian daily newspaper Die Presse published this information as “certain,” which would suggest an indiscretion. The Austrian television station ORF reported the same in its news program Zeit im Bild. However, such “indiscretions” are relatively common in Austria, precisely because of the concordat process, which requires the government to be informed before the appointment is announced.
