Georg Gänswein facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Excellency, The Most Reverend Georg Gänswein |
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| Apostolic Nuncio to Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia | |
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Gänswein in 2017
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| Church | Catholic Church |
| See | Urbs Salvia (titular) |
| Enthroned | 24 June 2024 |
| Predecessor | Petar Rajič |
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| Ordination | 31 May 1984 |
| Consecration | 6 January 2013 by Pope Benedict XVI |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 July 1956 Riedern am Wald, Waldshut, West Germany |
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| Alma mater | Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich |
| Motto | Testimonium perhibere veritati (Latin for 'To bear witness to the truth') (John 18:37) |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Styles of Georg Gänswein |
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| Reference style | The Most Reverend |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Archbishop |
Georg Gänswein (born 30 July 1956) is a German Catholic leader. On June 24, 2024, he was named the Pope's official representative, called an Apostolic Nuncio, to Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia.
Before this, he was the Personal Secretary for Pope Benedict XVI. He also served as the Prefect of the Papal Household from 2012 to 2023. This role meant he helped manage the Pope's daily schedule and meetings. He has been an archbishop since 2012.
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Early Life and Education
Georg Gänswein was born in a village called Riedern am Wald in Germany. He was the oldest of five children. His father was a blacksmith.
When he was 18, in 1974, he decided he wanted to become a priest. He started his training in 1976. On May 31, 1984, he became a priest for the Archdiocese of Freiburg. For the next two years, he worked as an assistant priest in the Black Forest.
He continued his studies and earned a special degree in Canon Law in 1993. Canon Law is the set of rules and laws that govern the Catholic Church. He studied at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.
Working in the Vatican
In 1993, Gänswein moved to Rome, Italy. He started working for the Roman Curia, which is like the government of the Catholic Church. In 1996, he joined the staff of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.
In 2003, he became Cardinal Ratzinger's personal secretary. When Cardinal Ratzinger was chosen to be Pope in 2005, he became Pope Benedict XVI. Gänswein then became the Pope's main private secretary.
In 2006, Pope Benedict XVI gave him the title of Prelate of His Holiness. This is an honorary title for a priest.
In 2006, Gänswein shared what a typical day for the Pope was like. He said the Pope's day started with Mass at 7 AM. After prayer and breakfast, Gänswein would help sort through the Pope's mail. He also helped the Pope with his meetings and documents.
Gänswein is known for being fluent in many languages. He can speak and write Italian, Spanish, German, English, French, and Latin.
Prefect of the Papal Household
On December 7, 2012, Gänswein was given a new important job. He became the Prefect of the Papal Household. This role meant he was in charge of arranging all of the Pope's public and private meetings. He also handled the plans for big events and the Pope's travels.
As part of this new role, he was also made an archbishop. On January 6, 2013, Pope Benedict XVI officially made him an archbishop.
Just a few weeks later, Pope Benedict XVI decided to step down as Pope. This was a very rare event. Gänswein moved with Pope Benedict to Castel Gandolfo and then to the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in Vatican City. He continued to serve as the Prefect of the Papal Household.
In early 2020, Gänswein's duties as prefect changed. While he kept the title, he no longer performed the public parts of the job. The Vatican said this was a "redistribution of the various commitments and duties."
Gänswein remained the Prefect of the Papal Household until Pope Benedict XVI passed away on December 31, 2022. After this, Pope Francis asked him to return to his home diocese in Germany. His last day as prefect was February 28, 2023.
Apostolic Nuncio to Baltic States
After leaving his role in the Vatican, Gänswein moved back to Freiburg, Germany. On July 17, 2023, he was made an Honorary Canon of Freiburg Cathedral. This means he can sometimes help with religious services there.
On June 24, 2024, Pope Francis appointed him as the Apostolic Nuncio to Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia. An Apostolic Nuncio is the Pope's diplomatic representative, similar to an ambassador. This new role means he will represent the Pope and the Vatican in these three countries.
He officially started his new role by presenting his credentials to the President of Lithuania on September 6, 2024.
Awards and Honors
Georg Gänswein has received several awards and honors from different countries:
- Bavarian Order of Merit (Bavaria, Germany)
- Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of Romania (Romania)
- Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Italy)
- Knight Grand Cross in the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Germany)
- Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria (Austria)
Coat of Arms
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Images for kids
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Gänswein in 2017
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Georg Gänswein's personal coat of arms
See also
In Spanish: Georg Gänswein para niños
