­Vaticanity Fair: Papal secretary graces glossy mag cover

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Published time: January 17, 2013 13:15
Edited time: January 17, 2013 20:38

The cover of a glossy magazine may not be the most appropriate place for a top cleric. However the Pope’s private secretary Archbishop Georg Ganswein dubbed by Italian media as “Gorgeous George” has appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine.

Pope Benedict's private secretary landed on the front page of the Italian edition of the magazine. The cover features a smiling photograph of the 56-year-old cleric under the headline reading "Father Georg – It's not a sin to be beautiful," Reuters reports.

The archbishop did not pose for the cover intentionally. The magazine reportedly used a close-up of an existing picture. According to Reuters, the magazine also did not specifically interview the cleric.

The material in the Vanity Fair issue refers to Ganswein as "the George Clooney of St. Peter's" while the story is highlighting the growing power of the recently promoted archbishop within the Roman Catholic Church. As the Pope becomes older, his personal assistant becomes a more and more powerful and important figure. Ganswein was also promoted for the job of Prefect of the Pontifical Household.

This position will bring him even more power and authority. Ganswein will be in charge of arranging the daily schedule and the private and public audiences of the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

Like the Pope Ganswein is German and was promoted to archbishop in January. He has been performing Pope Benedict's personal secretary’s duties since 2005, when the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected Roman Catholic leader.

The magazine with Georg Ganswein on the cover hit the news stands on Wednesday.