Pope Francis has granted
Monsignor Georg Gaenswein an indefinite leave of absence from
his role as prefect of the papal household, according to a
report in German newspaper Die Tagepost.
The newspaper said this would give the German clergyman, who
is also the personal secretary of Benedict XVI, freedom to spend
more time with the former pope.
Gaenswein was not present at Francis's weekly general
audience on Wednesday and also missed private audiences of
recent days.
According to the report, Gaenswein would continue to formally
hold the position of prefect of the papal household.
Gaenswein was involved in a recent controversy about a book
on priestly celibacy that came out in France with Benedict's
name as co-author along with Cardinal Robert Sarah.
The case has caused controversy as Pope Francis is
considering a proposal to allow married men to be ordained in
the Amazon region.
During the row, Gaenswein announced that Benedict had
requested his name be removed as co-author of the book.
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