Gänswein on Benedict XVI: «an indelible mark».»

Archbishop Georg Gänswein, apostolic nuncio to the Baltic countries and longtime personal secretary to Pope Benedict XVI, shared his candid reflections on his diplomatic mission, his spiritual formation under Benedict XVI and the celebration of Christmas in Lithuania during a public event on January 7.

The event

The event was organized by Kelionė, a Lithuanian quarterly Catholic magazine dedicated to exploring faith, culture, society, family life and personal spiritual growth from a Christian perspective. It is published by the Sisters of the Holy Family.

The event, titled “Encounters That Inspire: Testimonies of the Heroes of Kelionė,”, was held at the National Library of Lithuania and brought together contributors and readers to celebrate lived witness and testimony within the Catholic community.

“I come from the most beautiful part of Germany, but I have lived in Rome for most of my life,” Gänswein said. “As a bonus and thanks for all my work, I received an assignment to work in the Baltic states” he said jokingly. 

Asked about differences between Christmas in Rome and in the Baltic region, the archbishop answered with characteristic humor: “I celebrated Christmas in Rome for 28 years, and in Vilnius for two. The first difference is the cold.” He added that Lithuania’s seasonal displays left a strong impression, drawing attention to “very beautiful Christmas decorations,” and saying the Christmas trees “are very beautiful, maybe even more beautiful than in St. Peter’s Square, in the Vatican.”

Gänswein also expressed gratitude that the celebration of Christ’s birth in Lithuania is not merely cultural or superficial. He said he has sensed a reverence in which “its depth is felt here,” pointing to a faith that remains attentive to the mystery at the heart of the season.

An Act of Divine Providence

The archbishop devoted much of his speech to recounting his decades-long collaboration with Joseph Ratzinger, who became Pope Benedict XVI. Gänswein described his years with Ratzinger not only as an academic or administrative cooperation, but as a formation of the whole person.

“All the years of cooperation together have left an indelible experience,” he said. “It was not only intellectual and theological formation, but also the formation of the heart, soul, and everything that we can call life.”

Gänswein's first contact with Ratzinger was through the future pope's writings during his years as a seminarian in Germany. He said he studied Ratzinger's articles and books carefully, recognizing in them a blend of brilliant intellect and genuine, lived faith.

After his priestly ordination in 1984, Gänswein served as an assistant parish priest before pursuing doctoral studies. He eventually came to Rome, where he first met Cardinal Ratzinger during the latter’s tenure as prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. Gänswein said Ratzinger called him to collaborate, an invitation he regarded as a gift of divine Providence.

“What did he call me for? I don’t know,” he admitted. “But I see it as a great gift of Providence.” In 2003, Gänswein became Ratzinger’s personal secretary.

Prayer and canonization

Reflecting on Benedict XVI's death in 2022, Archbishop Gänswein shared a deeply personal insight into his continuing spiritual relationship with the late pope. «Now, when Pope Benedict XVI has gone to be with the Lord, I realize that I pray not so much for him, but to him, asking for his help,» he said. He acknowledged that this prayer experience occurred even during his mission in the Baltic countries, when he sought Benedict's intercession.

At the same time, Gänswein stressed the Church’s wisdom and prudence in advancing causes of canonization. “The Church is a very wise and very prudent mother,” he said, explaining that time is required to discern authentic holiness apart from worldly fame.

Thus, for Archbishop Gänswein, the evening ultimately returned to a theme that has marked his priestly life, which is fidelity shaped by faith and gratitude. A reminder that authentic Christian witness is not forged in prominence or recognition, but in quiet perseverance, prayer, and a life steadily formed by truth.