Franz Küberl receives papal Order of St Gregory

Franz Küberl, the former director of Caritas in Styria and former president of Caritas Austria, received the papal Order of St Gregory the Great in Seggauberg on Saturday. ORF reports that it is one of the Vatican’s highest honours.

Küberl said he had not expected to receive such a distinction and felt honoured. He expressed gratitude to the colleagues he had worked with and to people in need, saying he had learned much from them.

Diocesan Bishop Wilhelm Krautwaschl presented the order, officially called the Ordine Commendatore di San Gregorio Magno. Küberl received it in part for his extensive work supporting the restoration of the Basilica of Mariatrost in Graz.

Dietmar Grünwald, the basilica’s parish priest, praised Küberl’s commitment as chair of the association supporting the basilica. He said it reflected values that had shaped Küberl’s life, including faith, social responsibility, perseverance and humanity. Styrian Caritas director Nora Tödtling-Musenbichler also thanked him for his courage, clarity and longstanding work for people who are often overlooked.

The order was established by Pope Gregory XVI in 1831 and is among the highest distinctions the pope awards to laypeople. It is named after Pope Gregory I, who served from 590 to 604.