Archbishop Georg Gänswein believes the change of popes last year introduced a positive dimension to the Vatican. Gänswein noted a positive change in the atmosphere under Pope Leo XIV, suggesting a return to normality. The archbishop stated that Pope Leo has emphasized matters that were overlooked in recent years. Gänswein praised Pope Leo's joyful and convincing proclamation of the faith, noting an Augustinian spirit in his teachings. Gänswein, the Vatican's nuncio to the Baltic states, previously served as Pope Benedict XVI's personal secretary.
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Archbishop Georg Gänswein, former secretary to Pope Benedict XVI and current Vatican nuncio to the Baltic states, gave an exclusive interview to EWTN News in Vilnius, Lithuania, on January 20, 2026.1 2 3 4
He discussed the impact of Pope Leo XIV's election last year, following meetings with the Pope twice in 2025, most recently in mid-December.1 2 3 4
Gänswein described a "whole new positive dimension" and improved atmosphere under Pope Leo XIV.1 2 3 4
He stated that "normality is slowly returning," viewing it as evidence of the Holy Spirit at work, with Leo emphasizing overlooked traditional matters.1 2 3 4
The archbishop praised Leo's "clear line" in proclaiming the faith "joyfully and convincingly."1 2 3 4
Gänswein noted that Leo's catechesis and sermons reflect an "Augustinian spirit," portraying him as a man who lives the faith deeply.1 2 3 4
Gänswein expressed worry over Germany's Synodal Way, ahead of its final assembly on January 29, 2026, predicting deeper divisions in Church and society.1 2 3 4
He acknowledged needs for reform but criticized demands that "lead away from the faith" and "water down" doctrine on morality, ethics, sacraments, and episcopal authority.1 2 3 4
The nuncio hoped this "wrong path" would end soon.1 2 3 4
Papal succession restores Vatican normality and doctrinal continuity
The election of a new pope through the sacred process of the conclave inherently upholds the Church's doctrinal continuity and restores a sense of ordered governance, often described as "normality," by linking each successor directly to St. Peter via apostolic succession. This mechanism, rooted in Christ's commission to Peter, ensures that the Petrine ministry remains a visible sign of unity amid historical changes, preventing ruptures in faith or administration. Far from introducing novelty, papal succession reaffirms the Church's sacramental nature, where bishops—and preeminently the pope—carry forward the apostles' mission through ordination and teaching authority. Recent events surrounding Pope Leo XIV's election exemplify this timeless reality, countering perceptions of disruption by demonstrating fidelity to tradition.
Apostolic succession forms the bedrock of Catholic ecclesiology, guaranteeing that the Church's teaching office (magisterium) transmits divine truth unchanged across generations. As outlined in early Church practice, doctrines were deemed authentic when traced to bishops in unbroken line from the apostles, reflecting the Church's sacramental identity. The International Theological Commission emphasizes this continuity between New Testament witness and Tradition, addressing ecumenical concerns by clarifying that succession is not merely historical but essential to the Church's apostolicity.
In the papal line, this succession manifests supremely in the Bishop of Rome, whose primacy preserves unity. St. Irenaeus and ancient lists confirm the sequence from Peter through Linus, Anacletus (Cletus), and Clement, underscoring that deviations from this chain were rejected. Even amid challenges, as with Pope Vigilius (537-555), who navigated imperial pressures yet upheld orthodoxy, succession ensured resilience. The Catholic Encyclopedia defines the papacy as the system where the pope, as Peter's successor and Christ's Vicar, governs the universal Church, blending ecclesiastical primacy with historical influence. Thus, each conclave restores "normality" by invoking this chain, excluding invalid claimants and affirming legitimate authority.
The conclave process, refined over centuries, exemplifies institutional "normality" by isolating cardinals to deliberate under the Holy Spirit's guidance, free from external interference. Opening ten days after a pope's death, it mandates extra omnes ("all out") to prevent undue influence, prohibiting pre-election pacts or discussions during the prior pontificate. Only cardinals in deacon's orders vote, ensuring sacramental qualification tied to apostolic succession.
This ritual encloses about 250 persons under the cardinal camerlengo's oversight, culminating in ballots within the Sistine Chapel after the dean’s Mass and allocution on selecting Peter's worthy successor. Such structure counters chaos, as seen historically when Boniface II's designation of Vigilius sparked opposition, leading to its revocation and reaffirmation of free election. In Pope Leo XIV's 2025 election following Francis's death on April 21, this process—unchanged in essence—restored administrative stability, aligning with papal legislation against "capitulations."
Claims of disrupted "doctrinal continuity" often stem from misreadings of magisterial development, yet Catholic teaching distinguishes genuine growth from corruption. John Henry Newman's Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine identifies seven notes of authentic development: preservation of type, continuity of principles, assimilation, logical sequence, anticipation, conservative action on the past, and chronic vigor. Applied to doctrines like the canon of Scripture, original sin, or papal supremacy, these affirm evolution within fidelity, as in the Homoousion or Marian dignity.
Paul VI's Humanae Vitae illustrates papal authority's personal responsibility before Christ, transcending expert commissions or majorities, rooted in Petrine charism. Hermeneutics of councils like Vatican II further clarify: a "type 3" synthesis (per D'Costa, Echeverria, Benedict XVI) integrates continuity and reform, rejecting pure historicism (type 1) or rigid rejection of change (type 2). Febronianism's errors—limiting papal power post-ninth century via false decretals—were condemned, affirming the pope's jurisdictional primacy. Succession thus ensures the ordinary magisterium's assistance by the Holy Spirit, even in non-infallible teachings.
Pope Leo XIV (Robert Francis Prevost), elected May 8, 2025, exemplifies restored continuity through teachings echoing predecessors. His address to Italian bishops (November 20, 2025) in Assisi greets them fraternally, invoking St. Francis's spirit amid synodal paths. The Apostolic Letter Drawing New Maps of Hope (October 27, 2025) on Gravissimum Educationis's anniversary urges Catholic education as a "laboratory of discernment," weaving tradition with innovation against digital fragmentation—citing Newman and John Paul II.
In Türkiye (November 28, 2025), he defended Christ's divinity against Arian reductions, invoking Nicaea and patristics like Irenaeus and Athanasius. Echoing Leo XIII's Rerum Novarum, his words to legislators (June 21, 2025) stress equitable resource distribution for peace, as noted by USCCB. These align with St. Leo I's (the Great) elevation of Roman primacy and spiritual depth. Far from rupture, Leo XIV's pontificate normalizes governance by prioritizing unity, education, and orthodoxy.
Ecumenical dialogue highlights succession's role: evaluating other ministries against it clarifies Catholic identity without reductionism. Perceptions of "abnormality" under prior pontificates often ignore development's legitimacy, yet the Church's pacta sunt servanda binds conciliar fruits. Pope St. Cletus's brief reign (c. 76-88) reminds us that even early successions maintained fidelity amid simplicity.
In summary, papal succession intrinsically restores Vatican "normality" through conclave rigor and doctrinal continuity via apostolic succession, as Leo XIV's early magisterium confirms. This Petrine chain, assisted by the Spirit, navigates developments while preserving the deposit of faith, inviting all to trust in Christ's promise to Peter.