Catholic Church
A meeting in the Vatican
Servant of two masters – and always have an opinion. The German Curial Archbishop Georg Gänswein works for Pope Francis and will take care of Pope Benedict. And the DW, he gave an Interview. Christoph Strack.
Seven minutes before the agreed time Georg is Gänswein still in the door. For A Few Moments. The camera people still have to solve small technical problems. It will take until the Archbishop enters with a greeting in the room.
The space is truly not a Studio. The impressive Sala St. Ambrogio is one of the nicer among the approximately 1400 rooms of the Apostolic Palace. From the Elevator that brings the visitor from the Damasus courtyard in the second floor of the Palace, leads the way under the Gaze of an attentive Swiss guards by magnificently painted high ceilings. The higher the rooms, the smaller feel of the guest – the work in any Palace. Also here. Behind the Sala Clementina, in the many official papal audiences take place, then in the Sala of St. Ambrogio.
“Getting used to”
Georg Gänswein is familiar with these rooms. Almost eight years he has resided in this Palace, one floor higher – because his boss, the Pope. Benedict XVI Now has three years of Pope Francis to the head of the Catholic Church, lives in the Vatican guest house Santa Martha. And Gänswein works for the one as for the other. He lives with Pope Benedict in the little monastery of Mater Ecclesiae, in the back of the Green of the Vatican gardens. Working with Francis in the guest house, or Often in the Apostolic Palace. Work as prefect of the papal household, with the a, to eat and to work as a Secretary of the other, the Emeritus.
No, it is not Giorgio or the George Clooney of the Vatican. Secular honorary title, who approached him when he was 48 years of age, at the side of Benedict in April 2005, in the view of the world. The cliches, the make a fool of yourself. “At some point, then, is flattering time,” he says. “I hear it and missed it.” He was “quite happy, as life is interconnected,” he says at the beginning of the Interviews.
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Gänswein: “The Church is not a paddle boat”
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Gänswein: “The Church is not a paddle boat”
Gänswein is sitting there in a black robe, without any Episcopal color. What is life like with two men? “Getting used to” – the term falls. Three Times in the course of the conversation. “But in the meantime, the train is on the Track and I think it’s quite good and quite reasonable.” In the eight years at the side of the Pope from Germany, there have been victories and defeats. A great time that was for me very formative,” he says, looking back.
To Pope Francis “the clarity with which he speaks of the Conviction and a humanity that touched everyone who comes in contact with him appreciates Gänswein by his own admission”. His spontaneity gave him at the beginning of the difficulties. Since the appointment scheduler is talking about.
Praise and criticism
But often also the German from the black forest, who moved 21 years ago in the Vatican speaks. And on his country of origin “sometimes with melancholy, sometimes with Pride, sometimes with Anger, sometimes with disappointment, but also, very often, with great joy,” look. You could, however, see that the funds are due to the Church tax full and “the churches, unfortunately, always empty,” says the man of the Church. “Somewhere something’s not right here.”
For all the criticism. His native country he praises. Because of the commitment to refugees. “You really need to recognize that envy, that Germany plays a really great role, with all the difficulties that have arisen especially in the last few weeks.”
After the reigning Pope asked, says Gänswein, Pope Francis had the control firmly in the Hand. Since there is also a “no rowing”, even if “some have the speed or the ferocity with which Pope Francis does things, difficulties”.
After the Interview Gänswein remains, 15 to 20 minutes at the DW Team. Chatting with the Roman camera crew. Told the German guests of the management of the challenge indicates one or the other upcoming event. And as a reminder, there are wreaths made of finely crafted rose.
Eventually, the view to the clock, the handle of the dark cloak. Out and up for dinner. Gänswein is gone, as quickly as he came. And the Swiss guard’s stoic by.