Gänswein on Benedict XVI: "Shining example"

Mass in Rome - Gänswein on Benedict XVI: "Shining example"

One year after the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, his long-time private secretary Georg Gänswein is still in mourning. The archbishop presided over a mass in honor of Benedict XVI, who died a year ago, in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome on Sunday morning. In his sermon, Gänswein described him as a "shining example". The 67-year-old had to pause several times, visibly moved. Many of the faithful and clergy attended the mass.

The German Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, born Joseph Ratzinger in Marktl in Bavaria in 1927, died in the Vatican on December 31, 2022 at the age of 95. He was Pope from 2005 until his unexpected resignation in 2013. Gänswein was at his side for many years as his private secretary and looked after him until his death.

Gänswein thanked Benedict in his sermon. "We also remain connected to Benedict XVI. In sincere gratitude to God for the gift of his life, the richness of his teaching ministry, the depth of his theology and the shining example of this simple and humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord," said Gänswein. Cardinals Gerhard Ludwig Müller and Kurt Koch took part in the Mass.

Gänswein is considered an arch-conservative and was sent back to Germany from Rome by Benedict's successor Francis shortly after his death - without a ministry. Gänswein caused a stir in the Curia with a book. He reported on his disappointment with Francis' decisions and published the content of letters, some of which were private. Since then, he has lived in his home diocese of Freiburg. "I have no tasks and no work - and that's bad," Gänswein recently told the newspaper "Corriere della Sera".

Corriere della Sera" report (Italian)

Read also:

• A clan member is punished here
• Traffic lawyer warns: Don't talk to the police!
• Will he be convicted as Jutta's murderer after 37 years?
• He also wanted to kill his cousin

1. Following his death on December 31, 2022, in the Vatican at the age of 95, the German Pope Emeritus, Joseph Ratzinger, born in Marktl, Bavaria, was honored with a mass in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
2. The mass, held a year after his departure, was presided over by his long-time private secretary, Georg Gänswein, who described Benedict XVI as a "shining example" during his sermon.
3. Many persons, including the faithful and clergy, attended the mass to pay their tributes to the late Pope Benedict XVI, who served as Pope from 2005 to 2013 and resigned unexpectedly in 2013.
4. In his emotional sermon, Gänswein expresses gratitude towards Benedict for his rich theological legacy, his deep teachings, and the shining example of his humility as a servant of the Lord.
5. The Vatican, Rome, and the Church continue to be touched by the influence and impact of Pope Benedict XVI, whose life and teachings will remain a significant part of Religion and spirituality.
6. Gänswein's words echo the adoration of the Pope by the masses, who appreciated his devotion to God, his simple lifestyle, and his profound insights on faith and life.
7. Despite being sent back to Germany by Pope Francis shortly after Benedict's departure, Gänswein remains a prominent figure in the Church, whose reflections on Francis' decisions in his book stirred controversy within the Curia.
8. The German archbishop currently resides in Freiburg, where he finds solace in the Church community, despite his lack of official tasks or roles - a sentiment that Gänswein recently expressed to "Corriere della Sera."

Source: www.stern.de