Georg Gänswein, former papal secretary to Pope Benedict XVI, was banished. Pope Francis is now said to have promised the German archbishop a position as Vatican ambassador.
Italian newspaper Il Messaggero reports that goose wine is to be sent to the Baltics. This could be an attempt to soften the criticism of his harsh words towards the Pope, says Luis Badilla, a Vatican expert and former diplomat. The position for the archbishop would be fraught with major problems right from the start, says Badilla.. Confirmation from the Vatican is still pending, but according to the report it will come “soon”. The rift goes back to GäNSwein's book publication (“Nothing but the Truth”). Shortly after Benedict's death, he reported on internal discord in the church in his book of memoirs, he says.. The decision was made on the occasion of the anniversary of Pope Benedict’s death at the turn of the year.