Papal Audience: Archbishop of Vienna to raise concerns in Rome - hopefully Rome will raise their concerns about Vienna

Grünwidl 100 days in office - Private audience with Pope Leo XIV on May 11 and appointments in Vatican Dicasteries

Vienna's Archbishop Josef Grünwidl will travel to Rome next week for a private audience with Pope Leo XIV. The audience is scheduled for May 11, as Grünwidl explained in an interview with the daily newspaper "Die Presse" (online, May 2) on the occasion of his first 100 days in office. In addition to the audience, appointments in Vatican dicasteries are also planned. He said he wanted to "bring some topics that we need to discuss there," said Grünwidl, who was consecrated as the new Bishop of the Archdiocese of Vienna on January 24. Pope Leo XIV appointed Grünwidl the 33rd Archbishop of Vienna in mid-October 2025; since Cardinal Schönborn's retirement as Archbishop on January 22, 2025, he had already been leading the archdiocese on an interim basis as Apostolic Administrator.

His first months in office have been characterized by high intensity, but also by broad support. "I'm enjoying this now and feel a great deal of goodwill and encouragement," said Grünwidl. At the same time, he pointed to the challenges of the new role, "with an even greater level of intensity than when I was Diocesan Administrator, but it's a very rewarding time." He continued: "Although there are, of course, always problems and difficulties, it's a very rewarding task because I'm having wonderful encounters."

The Archbishop described numerous encounters as formative, including interfaith contacts with the president of the Islamic Religious Community, the Chief Rabbi, and the Protestant bishop. He also regularly visits hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons during his official engagements.

His stated intention upon taking office to reserve a weekly day off has so far only been partially realized. "The Pope is more consistent; I still have to learn that," said Grünwidl.

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