

Pope Benedict XVI with his secretary Georg Ganswein, May 10, 2007, in São Paulo, Brazil. (photo: Agência Brasil/Wikipedia Commons)

An unusual relationship Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has with his secretary Georg Ganswein is under scrutiny by blogger Andrew Sullivan.

Calling the former pope's connection with the "handsome" secretary "intense," Sullivan wonders why Ganswein is expected to continue assisting the former pope even while maintaining his role as prefect of the household for the next pope.

Writes Sullivan:

Are we supposed to think that’s, well, a normal arrangement? … This man – clearly in some kind of love with Ratzinger (and vice-versa) will now be working for the new Pope as secretary in the day and spending the nights with the Pope Emeritus. This is not the Vatican. It’s Melrose Place.

More from The Dish at dish.andrewsullivan.com.