THE former secretary of the Pope Emeritus Benedict XVIkilled on the 31st, the German George Ganswein66 years old, started this Thursday the 13th a Book that takes a look behind the scenes of the Vatican especially in the last decade. Called Nient’altro che la verità. La mia vita al fianco di Benedetto XVI, Nothing but the truth. My life with Benedict XVI, in free translation), the book brings revelations about the Relationship between Benedict XVI. and Pope Franciswhich the author criticizes.
According to Gänswein, Francis, who is viewed as progressive by the Catholic Church, liked the interventions of Benedict XVI. Notwho was conservative and acted that way isolate the emeritus pope.
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Benedict XVI and his successor Pope Francis. Photo: Maurizio Brambati/EFE
Following his resignation in 2013, the first by a pope since the Middle Ages, Benedict XVI vowed to live “abstracted from the world,” but he sometimes interfered in controversial matters, such as when he spoke in favor of maintaining the celibacy of priestsin 2020, go against French.
Gänswein, private secretary to Benedict XVI since 2003 before he was elected pope, was prefect of the papal household of the Holy See at the time of the controversy. He claims that after that episode, although he retained the title, Francisco stripped him of the executive functions of his position and made a request: “Stay at home starting today. Accompany Bento who needs you and act as a shield.”
As goose wine Benedict XVI. recounting what had happened, he replied: “Apparently Pope Francis no longer trusts me and has made you my guardian.” Because they had a close and trusting relationship, the emeritus pope made confessions to the secretary at the time.
THE The Vatican has not officially responded to the criticism to the Argentine Pope widely reported in the international press but last Monday the 9th the former secretary was summoned to one Retreat audience with Francis. The content of the conversation was not disclosed, but according to sources, the pope was disappointed and asked Gänswein for discretion.
On the eve of the book’s publication, at the Angelus (a prayer the Pope prayed three times a day from the window of the Apostolic Palace to commemorate the eternal mystery of the Incarnation), Francis warned that “gossip is a deadly weapon that kills. It kills love, society and brotherhood”, a message that is interpreted as a supposed reaction to Gänswein’s publication.
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Georg Gänswein, 66 years old, started this Thursday the 13th. Photo: Guglielmo Mangiapane/Portal
Gänswein tells several times, Benedict XVI and Francis differed in their ideological currents. He uses the Italian term tifoserie, like football fans, to refer to conservatives and progressives.
According to the former secretary, the Argentine pope “broke the heart” of his predecessor by turning his heart around Deciding on the mass use of Latinfor example.
This is also evident from the book The author has personal problems with the current pope. He says he’s always had a “cold” relationship with Francis, citing his intimate relationship with Benedict XVI. “would be jealous”.
Among other things, Gänswein accuses Franz of having made it loses his standing as Prefect of the Papal Household, one of the most important positions in the Curia since he was charged with the care of Benedict XVI. was entrusted with his retreat in the Vatican monastery Mater Ecclesiae. He is currently still in the position, but is staying away from his duties.
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After the death of Benedict XVI. on the last day of 2022 at the age of 95 there are doubts about the Future of the former secretary. Especially after the publication, it is very unlikely that he will regain his full prominence as prefect of the Papal Household, Vatican sources say.
Some people say that the Argentine Pope could appoint Gänswein as ambassador with the aim of removing him from the Holy See and its intrigues. Other possible options are leaving the Vatican to teach at a Catholic university abroad, or returning to his native Germany.
the former secretary already left the monastery Mater Ecclesiae This Thursday, 12th, Gänswein received according to the Catholic German media on the day of Benedict XVI’s funeral. /With information from EFE and AFP.