Gänswein’s Diary: Dynamite or Damp Squib?

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First published at the Catholic Herald.

Ever since the misleading and fourth-rate film The Two Popes appeared on our screens, the public has been understandably hungry to know what the relationship between the pope emeritus, Benedict XVI, and the current pope, Francis, was really like behind the scenes.

Somewhat to our surprise, Abp. Gänswein, chaplain and secretary to the pope emeritus, has written a book, Nothing But The Truth, which was released immediately after the funeral of Benedict XVI.

Is this a tell-all memoir revealing secrets thus far hidden by decorum, restraint and civility, now released onto a world stage? Or is it going to be a restrained memoir, telling us nothing we didn't know already?

Dr. Jules Gomes is a theologian, a journalist and a Catholic correspondent [for Church Militant] based in Rome. He has a doctorate in biblical studies from Cambridge and is the author of five books of theology.

As it happens, he found himself the recipient of an advance copy of Gänswein's book, sent to his email account by a friend. To save us from having to wait for an English translation of Gänswein's memoirs, he has agreed to share his reflections on the contents of the book, and he joins Dr. Gavin Ashenden, former chaplain to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and associate editor of the Catholic Herald, for this episode of our Merely Catholic podcast series for the Catholic Herald.

They reflect on the new appointments to the College of Cardinals. Almost two-thirds of its members have now been appointed by Pope Francis.

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