There is great sadness all over the world following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday. Catholics are also coming together in Vienna to mourn together. The head of the Catholic Church may never have visited Vienna himself, but there are some connections to the Austrian capital. Find out here what particularly unusual stories there are about Pope Francis in Vienna.
Pope Francis was a member of SK Rapid
In addition to his faith, soccer was also a particular passion for Pope Francis. This also includes the fact that the entire SK Rapid team paid a visit to the Pope: In 2018, the Vienna team made their way to the Vatican with the then coach, cult stadium announcer, Rapid priest Christoph Pelczar and Cardnial Christoph Schönborn.
However, the private audience almost failed. The team got stuck in a traffic jam on the way from the airport in Rome to the Vatican and missed the appointment. However, the team fought their way through the crowded streets and finally met the Pope at the general audience, who then took time for the footballers and blessed their Rapid rosary.
As a gift, the Pope was presented with a certificate of honor and a lifetime membership of SK Rapid, which he gladly accepted. The team also presented him with a green and white jersey with the inscription “Papa Francesco” and the number 10 – we can only guess whether he ever wore it.
The failed visit to Vienna and a blessing from afar
It was only a short time before Pope Francis would have been in Vienna: in November 2014, the then Federal President Heinz Fischer suggested that the head of the Catholic Church visit Vienna. The Pope accepted the invitation, even if he never made it to Vienna due to his busy schedule.
Nevertheless, Pope Francis was always close to the Austrian capital. He blessed the Franziskus Spital Margareten, including staff and patients, as a special namesake. The two birds in the hospital’s logo also make the connection clear: St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, the environment and ecology, was chosen by both the Pope and the hospital as their namesake.
Pope Francis also sent his prayers to Vienna by telegram after the terrorist attack in November 2020 . Specifically to Cardinal Schönborn, the former Archbishop of Vienna. He was always considered a close confidant and ally of the Pope in the Vatican and brought a direct link to Vienna.
A slice of Sacher cake for the Pope
It was only in November last year that the Pope met a group of 30 people from Vienna. The group consisted of homeless people and volunteers who meet regularly at the Archbishop’s Palace in Vienna, where they receive food and clothing.
“You come from very different countries, belong to different religious denominations and have each had your own life experiences, often including severe strokes of fate. But one thing unites us all – we are brothers and sisters, children of the one Father in heaven,” Pope Francis told the group.
The visitors from Vienna, in turn, brought a true classic from the capital: The Pope received a Sacher cake. Even if Pope Francis never actually visited Vienna, he was at least able to experience the taste of the city.