Much has been said about the difficult relationship between Pope Benedict XVI’s former secretary, Georg Gänswein, and Pope Francis.
And now we have learned that, although their relationship went through ups and downs, it ultimately ended in the best possible way: with reconciliation.
GEORG GÄNSWEIN
I had an audience with him in November of last year, and everything that needed to be clarified was clarified, and I also asked him for forgiveness.
The Argentinian pontiff pointed out in his book-interview, The Successor, that the German secretary did not make things easy for him at certain moments, and that some gestures toward him were hurtful.
JAVIER MARTÍNEZ-BROCAL
Pope Francis was very hurt that just hours after the funeral of Pope Benedict XVI, a book was published containing criticisms of him and private correspondence of Pope Benedict XVI—the book by his secretary, Georg Gänswein. He says it didn’t affect him in the sense of conditioning him, but that he perceived it as a rather painful gesture. And I think that explains the decisions he made afterward.
Now, the man who also served as Prefect of the Papal Household until 2023, Georg Gänswein, made it clear that during their last conversation at a November audience, things were resolved and he personally apologized to Pope Francis.
GEORG GÄNSWEIN
It can truly be said that it was a reconciliation. Things went well, thanks be to God, and I am very grateful to Pope Francis.
Since 2024, Gänswein has been the Apostolic Nuncio to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—a role he carries out with joy and enthusiasm.
GEORG GÄNSWEIN
I am now in the Baltic countries, and it is a task I carry out with great enthusiasm, with all my strength, and I do it gladly.
So, Gänswein made it very clear that despite everything, he and Pope Francis resolved their differences once and for all.
