For nearly two decades, Archbishop Georg G\u00e4nswein stood at the very center of Vatican life. As the private secretary of Pope Benedict XVI, he was not only a close collaborator but also the gatekeeper of the papacy\u2014managing schedules, access, and encounters with the Successor of Peter. He was among the very few who knew of Pope Benedict\u2019s intention to resign in 2012, months before the historic announcement in February 2013 that would shake the Church.<\/p>\n
After the resignation, G\u00e4nswein accompanied Benedict XVI into retirement, continuing to serve the Pope Emeritus while also fulfilling one of the Vatican\u2019s most sensitive roles as Prefect of the Papal Household under Pope Francis. He remained at Benedict\u2019s side until the very end, administering the last rites and offering a final farewell after nearly ten years of shared life in retirement.<\/p>\n
Exclusive Interview with Archbishop G\u00e4nswein<\/p>\n
In 2024, Pope Francis appointed him Apostolic Nuncio to Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. Today, under a third pontificate\u2014that of Pope Leo XIV\u2014Archbishop G\u00e4nswein continues his service to the Church. EWTN Vatican correspondent Rudolf Gehrig traveled to Vilnius to speak with him at the Holy See\u2019s diplomatic post on Europe\u2019s northeastern edge.<\/p>\n
Reflections on a New Pontificate<\/p>\n
Looking back on his time as nuncio and the first months of Pope Leo XIV\u2019s pontificate, Archbishop G\u00e4nswein offered a measured but hopeful assessment. Responding to Gehrig\u2019s question about his impressions so far, he said:<\/p>\n
\u201cAbove all, there has been a change for the better in the atmosphere, which I believe is important because the difficulties that existed have really taken on a whole new positive dimension with the change of pontificate. I consider that helpful. And for me personally, it is also a sign that faith and the Holy Spirit are indeed at work and remain active.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked where he draws the line when it comes to reform within the Church, the Archbishop was clear about the limits he sees as essential:<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, anyone who no longer represents the Catholic line on questions of morality, ethics, the sacramental structure of the Church, or the official authority of bishops \u2013 that’s where the firewall is, that’s where the line really is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Synodality, Reform, and Hope for the Future<\/p>\n
The topic of synodality\u2014so prominent in recent years\u2014also arose during the conversation. When Gehrig noted that synodality remains an important subject for the Church, Archbishop G\u00e4nswein reflected critically on the lack of clarity surrounding the term:<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo weeks ago, Pope Leo invited all the cardinals to a consistory, a meeting in Rome. A number of cardinals first requested clarification of what \u2018synodality\u2019 actually means. Unfortunately, there is still no clarification regarding the term \u2018synodality.\u2019 And as long as I don’t have a clear definition, as long as I don’t know exactly what it means, it is also difficult to talk about the desire to remain in dialogue within the Church or to even start the dialogue.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added a note of caution, observing that the term can sometimes be used to mask other agendas:<\/p>\n
\u201cIf \u2018synodality\u2019 is just that, then it’s okay. But my impression is that a lot of hidden demands are being concealed under the cloak of the word \u2018synodality\u2019 and that certain goals are being pursued that have nothing to do with synodality at all.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite challenges and uncertainties, Archbishop G\u00e4nswein spoke with confidence about the sources of his hope. When asked directly what gives him hope today, he answered:<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are young people who have truly found meaning in their lives through faith. They live their faith as it should be lived, namely with a joyful heart. Faith is not a burden that adds to the burdens that life imposes on us, but rather a help to cope better. And we know why we are here in this world and where we are going.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bearbejdet af Jacob Stein<\/p>\n