Archbishop Gänswein on Pope Leo XIV: ‘This Pope inspires hope, hope, hope’

Tom Colsy• May 13, 2025

Archbishop Georg Gänswein, the former Prefect of the Papal Household, described the results of the recent papal conclave as marking the beginning of a new era for the Church – one marked by clarity, stability and a decisive break from the confusion of the past.

In an interview with Corriere della Sera, Gänswein described the elevation of Cardinal Robert Prevost as a moment of “great and good surprise”, adding that he felt an immediate sense of hope as the new Pope appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.

“Optically and acoustically, this Pope inspires hope, hope, hope,” remarked Gänswein, who was long-time aide to Pope Benedict XVI.

“We can begin to count on a papacy capable of guaranteeing stability.”

The Archbishop, who has served as Apostolic Nuncio to the Baltic States since June 2024, spoke warmly of Pope Leo XIV, who, he believes, will strike a balance between the traditions of Benedict and the pastoral approach of Pope Francis.

“If we combine Bergoglio’s black shoes with Ratzinger’s crystalline doctrinal clarity,” Gänswein mused, “without seeking originality at all costs, I think Leo XIV will offer a beautiful combination.” This, he suggested, could provide the Church with a sense of renewal without abandoning its rich doctrinal heritage.

One of the key themes Gänswein returned to was the need for doctrinal clarity in the wake of what he described as the “confused” years under Pope Francis.

He said: “There are great tensions in the Church today, and frightening conflicts outside. I believe that doctrinal clarity is needed now. The confusion of these years must be overcome.”

In this light, Gänswein sees the structures of the Church not as an obstacle, but as essential tools for helping the Pope govern. “The institutions of the Church are not a leprosy,” he stated, affirming the importance of relying on the existing structures to provide support for the papacy.

Gänswein also praised Leo XIV’s decision to present a written text during his inaugural greeting, a small gesture that he believes signals seriousness and a strong sense of direction. “When I saw that he had a written text in his hand, I said to myself: he has started well,” Gänswein observed. “This is a man who knows where he is going.”

On the subject of Leo XIV’s background, Gänswein expressed his surprise at the election of an American pope but suggested that the Pope’s diverse experience—having worked in both the Vatican and as a missionary in Peru—would enable him to speak to a broad range of people. “He comes from many environments, not just one,” Gänswein said. “His experience, his ability to speak many languages, make him both a pastor and a governor.”

Gänswein also noted that he expects the Pope will take up residence in the Apostolic Palace, as this is the traditional home for the Pope. “I believe that Leo XIV will certainly go to live in the Apostolic Palace,” he said. “That palace is intended to be the residence of the Popes. It is its historical function.”

Reflecting on his own time in Rome, Gänswein reiterated his belief that the tensions between the papacies of Benedict XVI and Francis must be put to rest. “The season of arbitrariness is over,” he said, indicating that the Church is now entering a new phase. This is, he suggests, a phase in which stability and clarity will once again take precedence.

He also addressed his own transition from the Vatican to the Baltic States, confirming that his relationship with Pope Francis has been amicably resolved since his appointment. “I suffered in those years, it’s true,” he acknowledged, referring to his removal from the Vatican in 2020. “But I cleared things up with Francis before my appointment as nuncio.”

Gänswein is known for his conservative and traditionalist sympathies within the Church, particularly in his defence of the Church’s liturgical practices. In a 2023 interview with Die Tagespost, Gänswein criticised Pope Francis’ restrictions on the Traditional Latin Mass. These, he revealed, “broke… Benedict’s heart”.

“If we think for how many centuries the old Mass has been a source of spiritual life and nourishment for many people, including many saints, it’s impossible to imagine that it no longer has anything to offer,” he remarked.

“And let’s not forget that many young people – who were born long after the Second Vatican Council, and who don’t really grasp all the drama surrounding that council – that these young people, knowing the new Mass, have nevertheless found a spiritual home, a spiritual treasure in the old Mass as well. To take this treasure away from people … well, I can’t say that I’m comfortable with that.”

Looking ahead, Gänswein expressed confidence in the potential of Pope Leo XIV to heal the divisions within the Church and bring stability to its governance. “Pope Prevost gives me great hope,” he concluded. “I am convinced that he will have a positive impact within the Church and in the world. He is a peacemaker.”

(Getty)