The Archbishop of Vienna must continue to serve until 2024. Because the Pope has extended the current World Synod by one year. And the cardinal from Vienna is indispensable to him.
The 77-year-old cardinal Christopher Schoenborn is “victim” of a surprise from Pope Francis. He extends the world synod until 2024.
The consequence of this sudden decision: the probability that the Archbishop of Vienna will remain in office until then is very high. After all, Christoph Schönborn makes himself indispensable to the Pope as the representative of Europe in the Synod Council. He was already considered one of the most important advisors to the pope at the family synod and was even chosen in 2016 to officially present the final document to the world public in the Vatican.
At the age of 75, the Archbishop of Vienna submitted his resignation to the Pope, as is required by canon law for all bishops. But he left him in office indefinitely.
The exact reasons why Francis is extending the Synod on Reforms in the Church can only be guessed at. Most recently, in a sermon in St. Peter’s Basilica, he called for overcoming the polarization between a conservative and a progressive camp.
Possible Pope’s resignation postponed
By the way: With his decision on Sunday, Pope Francis not only indirectly extended Christoph Schönborn’s term in Vienna. It can also be expected that he will not resign himself by then.