Why popes change their names

White smoke over St. Peter’s Square announces unmistakably: the Chair of Peter is occupied again; a new pope has been elected. What name will he take? Because nomen est omen. The choice of the pope’s name is a process. It gives an initial indication of the direction in which the new Pope wants to steer the Church. The next pope can choose from 83 names that his predecessors have borne – or, like Francis, adopt a name that has never been used. The top pope names are “John” (23 times),…

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Devotees of Our Lady of Manaoag Begin May Devotion in Vienna’s 21st District

The devotees of Our Lady of Manaoag joined the Parish of the Heart of Jesus parishioners in Vienna’s 21st District to mark the start of the Marian devotion in May. This also signals the beginning of their nine-day novena in honor of Our Lady of Manaoag. Held daily at the parish, the novena draws both longtime devotees and new parishioners, many of whom are members of the Filipino community in Austria. The feast day will be celebrated on May 11 with a special mass presided over by Fr. Josef Giggenbacher,…

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This is the most beautiful capital city in Europe

According to Travelbook voting, only one metropolis on the continent is more beautiful than the Austrian capital. Europe is large and has many beautiful and unique places to offer, including over 40 capitals that couldn’t be more different. But which metropolis is actually worth a visit? The online travel magazine Travelbook wanted to find out from its community.More than 200,000 followers on Facebook and Instagram have revealed which European capital they have enjoyed the most while traveling. The most beautiful capital was chosen from the 14 most frequently mentioned cities.…

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Allergy sufferers: grass pollen will be more intense this year

The early summer days have given the grasses’ readiness to bloom a further boost: These days, the first grasses will begin to bloom in the lowlands. “This heralds the start of the main season,” says Maximilian Bastl, head of the Medical University of Vienna’s pollen service. For by far the largest group of allergy sufferers—those who react to grass pollen—one of the most stressful phases of the year begins: from June until August, they may be afflicted by symptoms such as itchy eyes, sneezing, and respiratory problems. And according to…

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Only 13 degrees! That’s how drastically the weather situation is now collapsing

This is accompanied by rain, thunderstorms, and even snow, which is returning in wintry fashion. From the first hot day to snow and rainToday in Vienna, there is bright sunshine and temperatures around 27°C. In other parts of the country, particularly in the east and south, summery temperatures of between 28 and 30°C are also being reached. However, these unusually warm conditions for the beginning of May will be short-lived. Plummeting temperatures from SaturdayFrom Saturday, a cold front will move across Austria from the north. This will bring a significant…

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Pension system in Austria – First changes under review

The pension system will undergo some changes starting next year. On Friday, the first changes will be reviewed—namely, the corridor pension and the allocation of the first pension adjustment. A partial retirement and a sustainability mechanism are also being worked on. The ÖVP and NEOS party leaders presented the roadmap without the Social Democrats. However, all three parties emphasized that this does not indicate a rift in the government. NEOS party leader Yannick Shetty spoke to journalists about the “biggest pension reform in 20 years.” This was necessary to keep…

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All information about the Austrian passport

A travel document is required every time you cross a border, even when traveling within the European Union and the Schengen area. This also applies to short trips abroad, for example, to Austria’s neighboring countries. Travel document required for every trip abroadEven in a borderless Europe, you must be able to prove your identity at all times. A travel document is required every time you cross a border, even when traveling within the EU and the Schengen area. This also applies to short trips abroad. Crossing the border without a…

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Conclave: Cardinals who have a good chance

On Wednesday, the cardinals will enter the conclave in the Sistine Chapel. On that day, a mass is celebrated first, then the procession into the Sistine begins. The first ballot takes place in the afternoon. As things stand, 133 cardinals will elect the new pope; two prelates have canceled due to illness. The so-called pre-conclave, the informal consultations of the cardinals in the synod hall, is currently underway. Pietro Parolin is highly regardedThe former Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin (70), is considered an up-and-coming candidate to succeed Pope Francis.…

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Why May 1st Matters: The Real Meaning of Labor Day

Every year on May 1st, millions of workers worldwide observe International Workers’ Day, better known as Labor Day in many countries. It’s not just a day off—it’s a powerful reminder of how far labor rights have come and how much further they need to go. The celebration on May 1st isn’t random. It’s rooted in protest, sacrifice, and a fight for dignity in the workplace. The Origins: Born from Struggle Labor Day on May 1st traces back to the labor movement in the late 19th century, particularly the 1886 Haymarket…

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