Archbishop Georg Gänswein (66) no longer has a job in the Vatican. Gänswein ended his post as Prefect of the Papal Household, which he had officially held since December 2012, on February 28 of this year. This was announced by the Vatican press office on Thursday. The Pope instructed Gänswein to temporarily return to his home diocese from July 1st.
Since the longtime papal private secretary is still a priest in the archdiocese of Freiburg, this diocese in south-west Germany remains responsible for his care. In the past few weeks, the Archbishop has presented his memorial book entitled “Nothing but the Truth” in several readings in German-speaking countries, for example on May 16 in Wiesbaden.
When asked about his professional future, he replied: “I’m not the one who decides. I’m the one who is decided.” He only makes suggestions to the Pope.
Gänswein worked for Benedikt, who came from Germany, for many years – before, during and after the pontificate. Since 2013 he has also served as House Prefect of Pope Francis. In 2020, Franziskus gave Gänswein leave of absence from this office so that he could devote himself entirely to the emeritus head of the church. In “Nothing but the Truth” Gänswein wrote that he was “shocked and speechless” about the decision at the time. The book made international headlines and discussions because, among other things, it contains details about content-related conflicts between the incumbent and the previous pope.