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Vienna’s newly appointed Archbishop Josef Grünwidl has used his introductory visit to the Vatican to extend a personal invitation to Pope Leo XIV to travel to Austria. Speaking to the Catholic news agency Kathpress after his private audience, Grünwidl said he was aware that Austria represents “only a very small Church in global terms,” yet he emphasized the country’s historical and cultural significance within Europe.
Grünwidl told reporters in Rome that he had “repeated the invitation” already issued by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, adding that the Austrian Church would be “very happy” to welcome the Pope. Only about three per mille of the world’s Catholics live in Austria, he noted, but Vienna’s role in European religious and political history remains substantial.
According to the archbishop, Pope Leo XIV expressed gratitude for the invitation but did not comment further. Grünwidl’s impression was that “Austria is not at the very top of his travel list at the moment.”
Questions Over a Future Cardinal’s Hat
Asked about speculation that he might soon be elevated to the College of Cardinals—a role traditionally associated with the Archbishop of Vienna—Grünwidl struck a cautious tone. He said he did not know what direction Pope Leo XIV intended to take regarding new appointments.
He pointed out that Pope Francis had previously argued the College of Cardinals remained “too European” and did not yet reflect the global reality of the Church. Grünwidl said he personally found it wise “to try to mirror the reality of the world Church” in such appointments, but stressed that the decision rests solely with the Pope.
In an interview with Austria’s public broadcaster ORF, Grünwidl added that he had no personal ambition to receive the red hat: “Being a cardinal means spending more time in Rome, and I am truly fully occupied in Vienna.”
- source: APA/picture: vaticannews.va
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