Archbishop Georg Gänswein, apostolic nuncio in the Baltic countries and for decades personal secretary to Benedict XVI, recently stated that he no longer prays for the deceased emeritus pope, but to him, asking for his intercession, and expressed his hope that the beatification cause of Joseph Ratzinger will be opened in the near future.
The statement was made during an event held on January 7 at the National Library of Lithuania, organized by the Catholic magazine Kelionė, according to the agency CNA. In that context, Gänswein offered personal reflections on his new diplomatic mission, his pastoral experience in Lithuania, and above all, the spiritual and human imprint left on him by his long collaboration with Benedict XVI.
A relationship marked by providence
Gänswein described his bond with Joseph Ratzinger as a deeply providential experience. He recalled that his first contact with the then German professor occurred when he was still a seminarian, through reading his books and articles. Later, already ordained a priest and after completing his doctoral studies, he arrived in Rome and was called to collaborate directly with the then prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
That collaboration, formally begun in 2003 with his appointment as personal secretary, was not—according to what he explained—only an intellectual and theological formation, but a true school of Christian life. Gänswein emphasized that Ratzinger was for him a master of faith, intelligence, and inner coherence.
“Now I ask for his intercession”
One of the most significant moments of his intervention came when referring to the death of Benedict XVI. Gänswein confessed that, since then, he has experienced a natural change in his prayer life. “I realize that I no longer pray so much for him, but to him, asking for his help,” he stated, noting that on various occasions—also during his service in the Baltic countries—he has turned to his intercession.
At the same time, he wanted to emphasize the prudence of the Church in the processes of recognizing holiness. He recalled that the Church acts with special caution to discern whether popular veneration corresponds to an authentic fame of holiness and not to a passing admiration.
Hope in the beatification cause
In an interview given in December 2025 to the German Catholic network K-TV, Gänswein had already expressed his personal hope that the beatification cause of Benedict XVI be opened. Those statements occurred shortly before a private audience he had with Pope Leo XIV during a discreet visit to Rome.
Read also: Gänswein: «Joseph Ratzinger was a profoundly prophetic man throughout his life»
Without making official statements or anticipating ecclesial decisions, the nuncio made it clear that his confidence is not based on sentimental idealization, but on the conviction that Ratzinger’s life was a constant surrender to the truth, to the Church, and to God.