On Christmas day in the year AD 800, Pope Leo III crowned the Frankish king Charlemagne as the “Emperor of the Romans” and subsequently this empire became known as the Holy Roman Empire. The title “Emperor of the Romans” endured one thousand and six years until 1806. At this time, Napoleon crushed the Hapsburg Emperor and the empire was renamed “Empire of Austria.” Thus, the Holy Roman Emperor continued to exist “in form” from 1806 until the death of Emperor Charles in 1922 (Charles was beatified by Pope John Paul II). 

Previously, the Holy Roman Emperor even had the power to veto a papal election and this power was reserved as late as 1904. In fact, Pope St Pius X only became pope because Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria (1848–1916) vetoed the papal election of Cardinal Mariano Rampolla to the throne of St Peter. So the votes turned to Cardinal Sarto…he who became the great Pope Pius X.

Yesterday, the Catholic Church buried the legitimate heir of the Holy Roman Empire.

Crown Prince Otto von Habsburg, may he rest in peace, is not only the son of an Empire, he is the son of a Blessed of the Catholic Church. His death marks the end of 1,200 year era in Christendom. In fact, his death solemnly signifies the official death of medieval Christendom. He is the first legitimate heir of Charlemagne’s Catholic throne – but the throne has remained empty from 1922 till today.

In Holy Mass yesterday, our parish priest described the ritual that is observed in Austria for the burial of emperor’s in the Vienna’s Capuchin Church.

The ancient ceremony of admittance is followed as the hearse arrives at the doors of the church. They announced to the friars that they have come to bury:

“Otto of Austria; former Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary; Prince Royal of Hungary and Bohemia, of Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, Galicia, Lodomeria, and Illyria; Grand Duke of Tuscany and Cracow; Duke of Lorraine, of Salzburg, Styria, Carinthia, Carniola and Bukowina; Grand Prince of Siebenbürgen, Margrave of Moravia; Duke of Silesia, Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Guastalla, Oświęcim and Zator, Teschen, Friaul, Dubrovnik and Zadar; Princely Count of Habsburg and Tyrol, of Kyburg, Gorizia and Gradisca; Prince of Trento and Brixen; Margrave of Upper and Lower Lusatia and Istria; Count of Hohenems, Feldkirch, Bregenz, Sonnenburg etc.; Lord of Trieste, Kotor and Windic March, Grand Voivod of the Voivodeship of Serbia, etc. etc.”

The friar responds, “We do not know him!”

The second time he will be 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.

The friar responds, “We do not know him!”

The third time he will be introduced as “Otto, a mortal, sinful human being!”

Then the doors are opened and the corpse is admitted.

This is a wonderful reminder that whether you’re a homeless man or the heir of Charlemagne – we all go to the same judgment.

Blessed Charles of Austria, pray for us, and pray for your son.

*His full name: Franz Joseph Otto Robert Maria Anton Karl Max Heinrich Sixtus Xavier Felix Renatus Ludwig Gaetan Pius Ignatius von Habsburg