A Very Unlikely Cover Model: Vanity Fair Break The Mould With “Gorgeous Georg”

It could be one of the most unlikeliest cover models ever, but we think we’ve learned not to be too shocked about who we see on the cover of world-renowned publications. We’re thinking Enda Kenny and TIME for one…

Archbishop Georg Ganswein, none other than Pope Benedict’s private secretary, is now a real-life cover boy.

Dubbed “Gorgeous Georg” by the Italian media, the attractive 56-year-old prelate has found himself smiling out from the cover of Vanity Fair.

The cover shows the archbishop smiling, his blue eyes beaming, above a headline that translates as: “Father Georg — It’s not a sin to be beautiful.”

This morning, Georg’s cover image is smiling out from the front page of the Irish Examiner.

The magazine calls Ganswein “The George Clooney of St Peter’s” and says it dedicated a cover story to honour his recent promotion to the rank of archbishop and as recognition of his growing power in the Church.

A spokeswoman for the magazine said Ganswein was not interviewed for the article and did not pose for the photo, which she said was a close-up of an existing picture.

Georg’s recent promotion means he will arrange all the Pope’s private and public audiences and his daily schedule.