Pope Francis accepts Schönborn's resignation - who follows him?

Pope Francis accepts Schönborn's resignation - who follows him?

Wien, Österreich - The seriously ill Pope Francis (88) remains decisive despite his pneumonia and continues to carry out important personnel decisions. He appointed four new bishops on Monday, as can be seen from the official Vatican "Bollettino". In the middle of his health challenges, the Pope accepted Cardinal Christoph Schönborn's request for resignation, which is no longer Viennese archbishop after almost 30 years. This was done on his 80th birthday after he had already asked for his replacement five years ago, as oe24.at reported.

Josef Grünwidl takes over the management of the Archdiocese of Vienna as an apostolic administrator, a signal that an early succession decision could be made. Schönborn, who explained his resignation at a short -term press conference, expressed the wish that a successor would have been named at the same time. But according to a statement by Process that requires careful considerations. Expectedly, a new list of possible successors will soon be available at the bishop's dining.

Cardinal Schönborn will continue to bear the title of a cardinal, but he can no longer participate in future papal elections due to his age. The new apostolic administrator must not make decisions that anticipate the powers of the future bishop. Josef Grünwidl, the 61-year-old bishop vicar and close confidante of Schönborn, will lead the archdiocese to the appointment of a new bishop. The Situation remains tense because the course for the future of the Archdiocese of Vienna has not yet been set.