Three elderly nuns who famously returned to their convent in Austria after leaving a care home are reportedly closer to securing their right to remain at the site where they spent most of their lives. Sisters Bernadette, Regina, and Rita, all in their 80s, broke into their convent home at Schloss Goldenstein in Elsbethen, near Salzburg, last September with assistance from former pupils and other supporters.

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), a Vatican department overseeing religious discipline, has yet to issue a final decision regarding the Augustinian nuns' future, a process that could span several months. However, plans for the trio to travel to Rome within the next two months are seen by those close to the sisters as a positive indicator, suggesting a potential resolution to the dispute. An aide to the nuns indicated to Austrian media that the Vatican is "in principle" supportive of their desire to stay, though an official ruling is still pending.

The controversy began in 2023 when the nuns were moved to a care home, a decision they contend was made against their will. They argue that church law, specifically *stabilitas loci*—the vow of permanence expected of those entering a holy order—supports their wish to die at their convent. Their superior, Provost Markus Grasl of Reichersberg Abbey, accused the sisters of violating their "vow of obedience" by departing the care home. He maintained that the convent, with its stone stairs and other features, was no longer suitable for individuals of their advanced age.

Following their return, supporters have provided the nuns with round-the-clock care and security, including replacing locks and reinstalling a stair lift that had been removed. The sisters appealed to Pope Leo XIV, who is also an Augustinian, for intervention. While the extent of his involvement remains unclear, church insiders confirm his awareness of their situation.

The upcoming journey to Rome, which will include medical staff and an anticipated audience with Pope Leo, is being facilitated by an anonymous donation. A spokesperson for the nuns conveyed their excitement to Austrian broadcaster ORF, noting they had never visited Rome before. Andreas Englisch, a German Vatican-watcher, stated on his podcast that a "generous" donor in Rome had contacted him directly, but their identity was not disclosed. He expressed belief that a private audience with the Pope was likely.

The nuns previously used Instagram and Facebook to share aspects of their daily lives and demonstrate their fitness, building a considerable following. They reportedly scaled back their social media presence late last year following an agreement with the Vatican, hoping it would improve their prospects of remaining at the convent. The sisters had also submitted a complaint to the Vatican concerning their treatment by Provost Grasl and the Reichersberg foundation, receiving a response indicating the DDF was working towards a "just, humane, and sustainable solution."

The nuns have publicly thanked their supporters and the media, asserting that without such attention, they would have been "helplessly exposed to the ruthlessness and arbitrariness of our superior."