Benedict's closest confidante prays at his side.

Archbishop Gänswein knows the ex-Pontifex like no other.

He is from the day Joseph Ratzinger to Pope Benedict XVI. became his closest companion. Archbishop Georg Gänswein (66) experienced ALL the ups and downs as the personal secretary of Pope Benedict (95).

Georg Gänswein has supported Pope Benedict for decades.

Even now, in Benedict's difficult hours, Bishop Gänswein is at his side. In the Mater Ecclesia monastery in the Vatican Gardens, the bishop prays for his seriously ill mentor and friend. Pope Francis also visited his predecessor Today.

Pope Benedict (95) is seriously ill.

Georg Gänswein is not only close to Benedict theologically but also personally. Both come from southern Germany (Gänswein from the Black Forest, Benedikt from Bavaria), appreciate each other's fine sense of humor, and have relied on each other for more than 20 years.

As early as 2003, when Benedict was still called Joseph Ratzinger and was a curia cardinal in Rome, he brought Gänswein over to be his personal assistant. Since then, he has never left his boss's side.

In April 2005, Joseph Ratzinger became Benedict XVI. - the first German Pope in centuries. The Pope sees his election as a "bolt from the blue." However, it quickly becomes clear: Benedikt needs someone like Gänswein, who is pragmatic and can get down to business. Gänswein is almost 30 years younger and also more assertive. He becomes the private secretary of the pontiff. Gänswein can say no better than Benedict and protect the Pope, who was 78 years old when he was elected, from too many exhausting appointments.

The Vatican asks for prayers for Pope Benedict.

"Oppressive silence in St. Peter's Square" Tourists take photos of the nativity scene and gaze devoutly at St. Peter's Basilica. But, you know: less than 200 meters away as the crow flies, Pope Emeritus Benedict is fighting for his life in the Mater Ecclesia Monastery in the middle of the Vatican Gardens.

Gianlucca (25) and his girlfriend Antonella (22) comes from Bari and want to celebrate New Year's Eve in Rome. "We got the news this afternoon. It's all very sad. We pray for Benedetto." Two men from the Swiss Guard guard the entrance to a side gate of Vatican City. "Do you know how Benedetto is?" I ask the guards. You shake your head. "We're not allowed to give them any information. Please understand that.”

Rome, the Eternal City, is preparing for difficult and sad hours this night.

The World Youth Day in Cologne was one of the Pope's greatest triumphs.

Georg Gänswein once described the first papal year: "A great wave of approval and sympathy carried the beginning. In particular, the trip to World Youth Day in Cologne in August 2005 and the publication of his first encyclical "Deus Caritas est" (Latin: "God is love") were highlights."

But Gänswein is also there for the problematic appointments. For example, during his visit to Malta in 2010, when Benedict met victims of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy. "The Pope listened quietly and comforted the troubled hearts of those affected. His mere presence and tears, which he could not suppress, were more powerful than words," the private secretary later recalled.

A year later, the “Vatileaks" shook the Holy See. Secret documents on corruption and affairs are leaked from the Vatican to the public. In the end, it comes out: it was the valet, someone from the papal family—a severe shock for the Pope, who was already in poor health.

Gänswein is always loyal during challenging moments. He never says a bad word about the Pope publicly or even semi-publicly. In 2013 Benedict ordained him archbishop, and Gänswein knew that his boss wanted to resign.

Archbishop Gänswein also attends meetings with heads of state such as Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

"When he confided the intention to me long before, I tried to dissuade him from his plan. Vain. His words remain in my heart and ears: 'Today, modern medicine can greatly prolong physical life. But if the mental reserves are getting smaller and finally missing, then it's time to draw the necessary conclusions," said Gänswein.

One thing is clear for the private secretary: he will follow the Pope to the Mater Ecclesia monastery in the Vatican Gardens. To the "last stage as an earthly pilgrim," as Benedict called his retreat at the time.

His last step on the way to God.