Vatican seeks to explain absence of aide after book scandal The Vatican is seeking to explain the absence of a longtime Vatican official from Pope Francis' team following his role in a controversial book co-written by Emeritus Pope Benedict XVIVATICAN CITY -- The Vatican sought Wednesday to explain the absence of a key member of Pope Francis' protocol team following his role in a controversial book on priestly celibacy co-written by Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI. The Vatican press office denied that Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, who works for both the reigning and the retired pope, had been officially suspended as head of Francis' papal household because of the scandal. Many observers noted that Benedict's participation couldn't have come about without the explicit approval and involvement of Gaenswein, his longtime aide and gatekeeper. Gaenswein ultimately asked Sarah to have Benedict's name removed from the cover, introduction and conclusion that identified him as co-author. He last served a private audience when he welcomed members of the Simon Wiesenthal Center to the Vatican on Jan. 20, according to Vatican photos of the events.

Source: ABC News February 05, 2020 15:10 UTC