He's one of Benedict XVI's closest collaborators and one of the few people who see him everyday. So whenever Msgr. Georg Gí¤nswein attends a public event, he's constantly asked about the Pope emeritus.
MSGR. GEORG Gí?NSWEIN
Prefect of the Papal Household
'He's doing fine. He is an 87 year old man. His mind in still sharp. His legs are a bit weak, but he's doing well.â?
Gí¤nswein, is also the Vatican´s Prefect of the Papal Household. During a conference on Papal communication styles, at the University of the Holy Cross, he talked about the papacy of Benedict XVI.
MSGR. GEORG Gí?NSWEIN
Prefect of the Papal Household
'He talked to the mind, but through that he would move the heart. Anyone who knows him closely understands this.â?
But his seven year pontificate had its challenges and even critics. Gí¤nswein says a large part of that was caused by prejudice.
MSGR. GEORG Gí?NSWEIN
Prefect of the Papal Household
'After his Regensburg speech on September 12, 2006, the prejudice against him was always there. It was always present unfortunately. Always.â?
Even amid challenges, Gí¤nswein says the Pope emeritus always faced the situations head on and without aggression.
MSGR. GEORG Gí?NSWEIN
Prefect of the Papal Household
'He faced suffering, but he never lashed out or attacked. He never did that. On the contrary, he responded with humbleness, clarity and authenticity. And he never ignored real problems.â?
As the Prefect of the Papal Household, Gí¤nswein is in charge of coordinating the Pope's daily schedule. It was his task with Benedict XVI and now again with Pope Francis.
When it comes to insiders, Gí¤nswein has a front row seat. He's the first person to work for two living Popes on a daily basis.
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