Georg, Georg, Georg of the Vatican!
I once posted about Don Giorgio on one of my extinct blogs. The post was in regard to the fact that Donatella Versace’s inspiration for her Spring 2007 menswear collection was none other than the Holy Father’s secretary, Monsignor Georg Ganswein. The post was titled, “I’m Too Sexy For My Cassock.” Since it was a post for my company blog, which happened to be a Catholic Company, it wasn’t well received. Unfortunately, though it was a good post, it is lost to posterity.
My friends in Rome and elsewhere continue to tell me stories concerning Don Giorgio’s popularity throughout Rome, Italy, and the rest of Europe. Good looks just might revive an interest in the Church in the European Union. Here is a brief history on the Pontiff’s secretary:
“Ganswein was born on July 30, 1956, the eldest son of a blacksmith in Riedern am Wald, a tiny Bavarian village in a traditionally Catholic area of the Black Forest.
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He supported his studies at Munich University by working as a ski instructor. He was ordained a priest in 1984 and received his doctorate in canon law in 1993.
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After teaching at Munich he became professor of canon law at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross - Santa Croce - in Rome. It is run by Opus Dei (although Ganswein himself is not a member) and, therefore, unlike other ancient Italian institutions, run with strict adherence to timekeeping, dress codes and discipline. That would be entirely to the liking of this dedicated and scholarly northern European.
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He met Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger over meals in the German college. In 1996 Ratzinger invited Ganswein to join the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, once upon a time the Holy Inquisition, where he was prefect, and Ganswein eventually became his private secretary. In 2000, Pope John Paul II made him a personal chaplain. . 
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It was a swift ascent of the Vatican career ladder, largely due to Ratzinger, who takes a delight in surrounding himself with the brightest and best. Ganswein says of himself that he enjoys debate and Benedict is thought to value his secretary’s astute mind as well as the fact that his expertise is in canon law to counterbalance his own in theology.
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The enthusiasm for verbal knockabout is echoed in his keen enjoyment of tennis, but this seemingly perfect balance of the intellectual with the physical is seasoned furtherwith an appetite for good food. The role of the Pope’s private secretary is to combine the efficient running of the office with being a trusted companion with whom his boss feels comfortable.
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Ganswein’s perceived power derives from his central place in the Pope’s very small personal staff. Benedict also has a long-time assistant, Ingrid Stampa, said to be a powerful intellect, and three nuns who do domestic duties.
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Pope Benedict writes everything in German in very small script, and Ganswein is one of the few who can read his writing. His chief role is as gatekeeper, filtering those who want access to the Pope, but perhaps as important is simply to be an entirely discreet human confidant: the person with whom the holy father can share a glass of wine at the end of a difficult day. .
Where Stanislaw was required to dine with John Paul every evening, Benedict often prefers to dine alone. He regards it as important to achieve a balance of work and relaxation, encouraging those around him to do likewise.
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Therefore, Don Giorgio still regularly dines at some of Rome’s best-known restaurants of an evening - but no longer does so unremarked.” - I can’t remember my source for this biography.
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I myself would rather be esteemed for my intelligence…
