Death and funeral of Otto von Habsburg

Many foreign dignitaries—among them reigning or former monarchs King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, King Michael I of Romania, Tsar Simeon II of Bulgaria, Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein, and Fra' Matthew Festing, Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta—attended the Requiem Mass in Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral on 16 July, presided over by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, which was followed by the entombment in the Imperial Crypt.

In his statement, Barroso pointed out that Otto had "made a central contribution to the opening of the Iron Curtain and the peaceful reunification of our continent that had been divided for too long".

[7] Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization – The UNPO secretary-general Marino Busdachin praised Otto as "a champion of multi-culturalism and European integration.

Benedict praised Otto von Habsburg as "a great European" who had worked tirelessly for peace, the coexistence of peoples and a just order in Europe.

[15] Cardinal Renato Martino remembered Otto as one of the twentieth century's "greatest defenders" of the Catholic faith and human dignity, stating that his father, "Blessed Karl of Austria, instilled in him from an early age that the office of a ruler is one of holy service and selfless sacrifice for the good of the peoples entrusted to him.

"[17][18] Hungary – As the news emerged about Otto's death in Budapest, Hungarian lawmakers immediately held a minute of silence in parliament.

Despite the fact that his family was forbidden to enter Austria until Otto formally renounced his claim to the throne, the president noted that his relationship with the republican government "had developed well in the last decades".

Schwarzenberg remarked that Otto was the last person who had had a constitutional position "in the old Monarchy", stating that "we should never forget that he was the Crown Prince of Austria, Hungary, and Bohemia."

[25] Slovenia – President Danilo Türk said: "Otto von Habsburg was one of the strongest advocates of a united Europe, a great man and a promoter of human freedom.

[29] Germany – Member of Parliament and President of the Federation of Expellees Erika Steinbach praised Otto as "a strong supporter of the refugees and a compassionate intermediary between the peoples of Europe".

[22] A 13-day period of mourning started in several countries formerly part of Austria-Hungary on 5 July 2011, when the body of Archduke Otto[2] was laid in repose in the Church of St. Ulrich near his home in Pöcking, Bavaria.

The funeral has been described as a major event in Vienna's history; Cardinal Schönborn described it as "a historic moment for Austria", stating that it will be good for the country to "think of this great Habsburger in prayer and gratitude".

[49] Karl von Habsburg revealed that the planning for the funeral had started 12 years earlier, and that Otto had not involved himself in it, except for expressing the wish for a ceremony in Hungary in line with the family tradition.

[58][59] The Malteser Hospitaldienst Austria (MHDA), an organisation which is subordinated to the Order of Malta, was responsible for providing medical assistance.

[63][64] Following the requiem Prime Minister of Bavaria Horst Seehofer hosted a reception for around 700 invited guests in the Kaisersaal of the Munich Residenz.

The requiem was celebrated in St. Stephen's Cathedral on 16 July 2011 from 15:00, and was presided over by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, assisted by seven bishops from the various nations of Austria-Hungary.

[73] A message from Pope Benedict XVI, addressed to His Imperial Highness, Archduke Karl of Austria, was read by the papal nuncio, Archbishop Peter Zurbriggen.

The requiem was followed by a funeral procession through Innere Stadt and the entombment (following the traditional ceremony) of Otto and his wife, Regina, in the Imperial Crypt.

[74] While Otto and Regina were lying in repose in the Capuchin Church, Christian, Jewish and Muslim prayers—reflecting the multicultural and multi-religious heritage of Austria-Hungary—were read on Thursday 14 July, by Bishop Stephan Turnovszky, Rabbi Steven Langnas, and Grand Mufti Mustafa Cerić, respectively.

[75][76][77] During the lying in repose on 15 July, guards in traditional uniform stood in honour on either side of the two coffins, draped in the imperial yellow-black flag.

In front of the coffins, a number of orders, honours and decorations that Otto received throughout his life were laid out on velvet cushions.

[61] A traditional ceremony during the funeral is when the procession of mourners arrives at the gates of the Capuchin Church, under which the Imperial Crypt lies, and the Herald knocks on the door.

Only on the third attempt, when the Herald responds with "a sinful, mortal human being", are the gates opened and the dead Habsburg admitted into the Crypt.

The second time he was introduced as "Dr. Otto von Habsburg" and a number of his civic achievements, notably as President of the Paneuropean Union and Member of the European Parliament, mentioned.

[86][87][88] On Sunday 17 July 2011, Otto's heart was buried in the Benedictine Pannonhalma Archabbey, following a ceremony with vespers in Latin, and an ecumenical prayer.

Archabbot Asztrik Várszegi, Reformed Bishop Gusztáv Bölcskei, Lutheran Bishop Tamás Fabinyi, and Chief Rabbi Zsolt Markovics participated, together with around hundred members of the House of Habsburg and Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén with his wife representing the Hungarian government.

His sons Karl (Károly in Hungary) and Georg (György) finally carried the urn to the crypt, where it was buried under a marble slab.

[98] The Holy Mass was concelebrated by Czech bishops Dominik Duka (Prague), Vojtěch Cikrle (Brno) and František Lobkowicz (Ostrava-Opava).

[111] Order of Malta – Prince and Grand Master Fra' Matthew Festing[112] Austria – President Heinz Fischer, his wife Margit Fischer, Chancellor Werner Faymann, Vice-Chancellor Michael Spindelegger, most of the Austrian cabinet and governors, including the major of Vienna Michael Häupl and governor of Lower Austria Erwin Pröll, and other representatives of state.