Benedict's protege to hold dual role under new pope

Vatican City, Feb 14 (AFP) Pope Benedict XVI's closest confidant Georg Gaenswein will continue to be the soon-to-be former pope's secretary while also overseeing the new pope's household, the Vatican said today. "He will remain prefect of the papal household and will also be secretary to Benedict," Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said at a press briefing. "He has informed us he will take up residence with Benedict" in a monastery within the Vatican walls that is currently being renovated, Lombardi said. Monsignor Gaenswein will therefore hold a dual role as part of an unprecedented situation in the history of the Catholic Church in which a pope and his predecessor will live within a stone's throw of each other. The Vatican has hinted that Benedict could continue to have a behind-the-scenes spiritual role as guide for his successor. The 85-year-old pope himself has said he will live "hidden from the world". Benedict promoted Gaenswein to prefect of the papal household in December -- a move interpreted now as a key part of his plans to resign. Like the pope, Gaenswein was born in Bavaria and has an academic background, with a doctorate in canon law. The son of a blacksmith, he was ordained in 1984 and rose through the ranks to become Joseph Ratzinger's secretary in 2003. When Ratzinger was elected to the papacy in 2005, he kept the trusted Gaenswein by his side, propelling him into the limelight, much to the delight of the international media, instantly smitten by the pope's dashing assistant. A refreshing change from the elderly dignitaries populating the often staid world of the Vatican, the 56-year-old, who can be seen constantly at the pope's side, has a pilot's license, skis in his spare time and is a Pink Floyd fan. Lombardi today said Benedict's four housekeepers -- pious lay women known as "Memores Domini" -- would also continue to work for the ex-pope in his new residence, a picturesque spot in Vatican City surrounded by flower beds. (AFP) KAS 02141919 NNNN