Skip to content

Pope Francis meets again with Benedict XVI’s former secretary, Archbishop Gänswein

Pope Francis received German Archbishop Georg Gänswein in an audience at the Vatican on Saturday, March 4. Gänswein served as the personal secretary of Pope Benedict XVI for many years.

“The Holy Father Francis received His Excellency Monsignor Georg Gänswein, titular Archbishop of Urbisaglia, Prefect of the Pontifical Household, in an audience this morning,” said the Vatican Press Office, without giving further details of the meeting.

This is the second time that the Pope has received Benedict XVI’s secretary in an audience in recent months. The previous meeting took place on Monday, January 9, and like this occasion, no details of the meeting were made public. On Friday, March 2, Gänswein gave an interview to Italy’s Rai Uno television, in which he responded to a question about whether his intention in publishing his memoirs was to stir up “a war between the internal factions of the Vatican.”

“No. Regardless of the timing of the publication, I would have been criticized by anyone. My only goal was to provide clarity, even on some points where there were many problems,” said Benedict XVI’s secretary.

“Clarity means giving the truth to all those who wanted to know it. No wars, no factions. I wanted to give only my testimony of the real things that have happened,” added the prelate. Gänswein’s memoirs were published in January under the title “Nothing but the Truth: My Life with Benedict XVI,” in which he shares a series of previously unknown details about Joseph Ratzinger’s pontificate.

When asked about the reason for Pope Benedict’s resignation, the Archbishop replied, “He himself said on February 11, 2013, that the reason was physical and psychological fatigue. I believe it because I have seen it and lived it all this time with him.”

“Did Pope Francis no longer trust you?” 

 

Gänswein smiled and commented, “This is an ironic question. I said it myself, when (the Pope) told me three years ago, ‘now it is better for you to take care of Pope Benedict and stay in the monastery, and no longer come to serve here in the prefecture.'”

After his resignation, Pope Benedict XVI lived in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery in the Vatican.

“Pope Benedict himself said ‘Pope Francis no longer trusts me,’ and it also happened to me as a custodian, ironically, but I hope that Pope Francis trusts me,” Gänswein recounted. “I hope I have never given him a reason not to trust me,” the Archbishop emphasized.

When asked if he is faithful to Pope Francis, Gänswein replied, “Faithful and loyal. He is the Pope of the Catholic Church and the Successor of Peter. I have been faithful to all his predecessors.”

Regarding what he will do in the future, the German prelate indicated that “the Holy Father will tell me that in a few days.”

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

Pope Francis Makes First Public Appearance In Weeks, Returns To Vatican

Shortly before returning to his home in the Vatican on Sunday, Pope Francis made a brief appearance from a fifth-floor balcony of the Gemelli Clinic in Rome to a crowd of faithful gathered outside the hospital.

Communicating for a Saint: The Legacy of Joaquin Navarro-Valls

It has been six years since the passing of Joaquin Navarro-Valls, the first director of the Holy See Press Office and the man who will always be remembered as the spokesperson of Pope Saint John Paul II.

Pope Francis Gears Up for Busy Travel Schedule Amid Summer Break and Reflects on Historic Trip

July marks the beginning of Pope Francis's summer break from receiving guests and holding public talks. However, the Holy Father's schedule is set to become much busier in the coming months.

‘Epiphany moment’: Catholics recall World Youth Day vigil in Tor Vergata with John Paul II

Twenty-five years ago, young pilgrims from around the world gathered at Rome's Tor Vergata for an overnight vigil during the 15th World Youth Day, led by St. John Paul II.

‘See you in Lisbon,’ Pope Francis shares message 3 months before World Youth Day 2023

A screenshot from Pope Francis' May 4 video message to young people attending World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal.

In letter to Holy Land Christians, Pope Francis deplores the war, expresses closeness

Pope Francis on Wednesday issued a letter to the Christians of the Holy Land in preparation for Good Friday, expressing

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTN.it