Austria without voice: for the first time no cardinal in the Pope elections 2025!

Austria without voice: for the first time no cardinal in the Pope elections 2025!

In May 2023, the Roman Catholic Church will choose a new Pope-the first time since 1958 without the participation of an Austrian cardinal. This historical situation is due to the factual withdrawal of Christoph Schönborn, the Archbishop of Vienna, who celebrated his 80th birthday in early 2023 and is therefore no longer entitled to vote. Schönborn was already active in the last Pope elections in 2005 and 2013 and was one of the favorites in the years in which he was still allowed to participate. At that time he was a formative figure in the pope election and was the focus of the international media for a long time. [OE24 reports] (https://www.oe24.at/welt/des half-ist-kein-oesterreicher-beim-becklave/630976615) about the influences of Austrian cardinals to the election history, which goes back to the election of Johannes Paul II 1978.

Austria has played an important role in the Papal elections in the past, and since Vienna Archbishops of the Catholic Church continuously have been the cardinal dignity. In the last elections, like that of Benedict XVI. In 2005, Schönborn was among the cardinals entitled to vote, but the voters wished no further long pontificate and chose Joseph Ratzinger. This shows that the balance of power between the cardinals can be decisive for the outcome of an election.

The role of cardinals in the conclave

For the election of the Pope, the cardinals entitled to vote must follow a variety of rules and regulations. These rules are defined in the Apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis, which the election processes have regulated since 1996. The cardinals must be in the Sistine chapel during the complaint, which is hermetically sealed off to avoid external influences. Communication via cell phones, the Internet or the media is strictly prohibited to ensure the secrecy of the election. Before the first ballot, a service with the title "Pro Eligendo Papa" takes place in the Petersbazilica before the cardinals sworn in sworn in the election procedure. Vivat emphasizes)

The process takes place in several phases, starting with a first vote. A quick result can be achieved by the two thirds majority of the votes. When a candidate is chosen, white smoke signals the choice of a new Pope, while black smoke indicates an unsuccessful ballot. The new Pope accepts a new name and is recognized by the cardinals that have chosen it.

historical changes and effects

The tradition of the pope election has changed significantly over the centuries, from the influence of secular rulers to the strict regulations that today shape the electoral procedure. The reforms according to the governments of Nikolaus II and Gregor X., which enforced the exclusion of other groups of voters and the isolation of the cardinals entitled to vote during the election, are particularly noteworthy. These practices were declared valid and form the basis for today's pope election in the conclave. [Wikipedia reports] (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papst election) about these developments and the all -comprehensive structure that frames the process.

The absence of an Austrian cardinal is not only a sign of social changes within the Catholic Church, but also a reference to the complex history in which Austria played an important role in the World Church State for a long time. Such an election situation was last in 1846, when only an Austrian cardinal was absent during the complaint, while almost the entire electorate made up of Italians. Thus, the election in May 2023 not only stands for a fresh start, but also for reflection on the previous influences and traditions within the Catholic Church.