Archbishop Georg Gänswein, former personal secretary to Benedict XVI and current apostolic nuncio in the Baltic countries, expressed his hope that the beatification process for the Pope Emeritus will begin. In an interview with the Catholic channel K-TV, he stated:
«I personally hope very strongly that a process of this type will be opened».
A Theologian of Joy
In the interview, Gänswein highlighted the central element that, in his view, marked Benedict XVI's understanding of the faith: Christian joy. He defined this concept as a true guiding thread in the theology of the Pontiff. For the German Pope —he explained— faith is the «source and measure of joy», and if it does not manifest itself, «something is not going well in the life of faith».
For this reason, he did not hesitate to describe Ratzinger as a “theologian of joy”, while also emphasizing his insistence on doctrinal continuity: «We must not cut the essence; we must allow ourselves to be shaped by the Lord, by the faith of the Church».
Call to Resume Benedict XVI's Liturgical Line
In the same dialogue, the nuncio referred to the future of the so-called extraordinary rite, whose presence in the Church was restricted after the motu proprio Traditionis custodes promulgated by Pope Francis. Gänswein argued that the tensions arising around the traditional Mass should be resolved through a return to Benedict XVI's line, to whom he attributed an “intelligent regulation” in this matter.
«I consider that the solution established by Benedict is the right path, a path that should be continued without burdens or restrictions», he affirmed. He added that he hopes that Pope León XIV can advance in the pacification of this “thorny problem” following that same approach.
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