Josef Grünwidl

Early years and education Josef Grünwidl was born on 31 January 1963 in the Hollabrunn district and grew up in Wullersdorf in Lower Austria. He attended the Archbishop's High School in Hollabrunn, graduating in 1981. He then entered the seminary of the Archdiocese of Vienna and studied theology at the University of Vienna. At the same time, he studied organ at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. While studying for a year in Würzburg in 1983/84 he decided to become a priest. He wrote his diploma thesis, "Suffering is in God", on Jürgen Moltmann's theology of the cross, under Josef Weismayer in 1987.

Priesthood In 1987, Grünwidl was ordained a deacon by Auxiliary Bishop Helmut Krätzl. He completed his deaconry year in Perchtoldsdorf. On 29 June 1988, he was ordained a priest by Cardinal Franz König in St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna.

Archbishop of Vienna The press reported on 15 October 2025 that the Holy See had confidentially communicated his appointment as the new archbishop of Vienna to the Government of Austria as required by Article IV. § 2 of the Concordat of 1933, in order to identify any objections of a political nature. On 17 October 2025, having received no objection from the government, the appointment by Pope Leo XIV was officially announced. Grünwidl had several times declined the position. He explained that the delay in filling the position was due to his own hesitation. His episcopal ordination took place on 24 January 2026, with Christoph Schönborn presiding as episcopal principal consecrator. Grünwidl remained apostolic administrator of the archdiocese until then. He eventually left the group because he did not support disobedience against Pope Francis, instead preferring critical obedience.

At the press conference announcing his appointment, he said: "I have firmly resolved that as archbishop I will not be absorbed in management and administrative tasks, but will remain a pastor." Anticipating his leadership of the Archdiocese, Der Standard described him as "progressive," noting that he has voiced support for ending clerical celibacy.