Confidant of the Pope talks about visiting Schumacher

He is a confidant of two Popes and someone who is most passionate about being there for others – especially for people who had to experience suffering.

Archbishop Dr. Georg Gänswein (62), Prefect of the Pontifical Household of Pope Francis and secretary of the retired Pope, Benedict XVI, has visited racing legend, Michael Schumacher (49), in his house near Geneva (Switzerland). German magazine “Bunte” has now reported about this visit.

In BILD, the priest talks about this moving meeting.

In the summer of 2016, following a visit to Rome, Jean Todt (71, FIA President) – with whom Schumacher had won five world championships – asked the Bishop whether he would visit Schumacher. The priest accepted the invitation and travelled to Geneva.

Archbishop Gänswein: “I first talked to Corinna Schumacher and her mother. Then a therapist brought Michael Schumacher into the living room. I introduced myself and told him that I’m a secret fan, that I often watched his races and that I was fascinated by how someone can steer such a machine through any weather at such high speed.”

The priest and Schumacher had never met prior to this visit.

“I greeted Michael Schumacher and held his hands. They were warm. Some things words cannot transport, but a touch can. Holding the hand of a sick person is something deeply Christian that provides consolation and closeness. That was important to me.”

The Archbishop talked to the race driver about how difficult the situation was for Schumacher, and his family.

Gänswein told Schumi that, with his visit, he wanted to show that there are people who are thinking of him. “Even now, when he can no longer be the great racing driver, no longer being in the spotlight.”

The priest is certain: “Still, many people out there are thinking of Michael Schumacher.”

The Archbishop does not want to say what exactly he talked about with the family.

“You know,” he tells BILD, “especially when you’re sick, you need the comfort of the family and protection from the public. It’s fine that my visit became known. However, I would never reveal anything private and confidential.”

The Archbishop talks about the Christian gestures, which – for him – are a concrete form of love of neighbour. “As a farewell, I drew a cross on his forehead with my thumb and promised to pray for him.”

On 29 December 2013, Formula 1 legend, Michael Schumacher, fell while skiing in France and was severely injured at the head

Archbishop Gänswein: “It would have been too much to pray with Michael Schumacher then and there. I couldn’t know whether he would have wanted that. But you can feel that he perceives encounters, that the closeness of his family is important to him.”

When Archbishop Gänswein said goodbye to Corinna Schumacher (49) after the meeting, holding her hands, she thanked him and said that the visit had been good for all of them.

The Pope’s confidant has kept his promise – he prays for Michael Schumacher and his family.