"But I am reconciled," the 68-year-old told "Bild am Sonntag". "Fortunately, I didn't have any regrets, even though I had other plans, none of which materialised." It had taken time and patience for "painful wounds" to heal.
"I admit that I was very disappointed," Gänswein confessed. But it was Pope Francis' decision, and that alone counted. Gänswein emphasised the importance of reverence and obedience to popes. "I have kept this promise. Whether I was happy to do so is another matter."
Since his dismissal from the Vatican, tears had also flowed - not least because he had also had to come to terms with the death of former Pope Benedict XVI.
"I miss Pope Benedict. Visually and physically he may be absent, but spiritually he is almost omnipresent."
As he had previously told the "Badische Zeitung" newspaper, Gänswein also said that prayer had helped him.
Talking to "as many believers as possible" in the Baltic states
After a year in Freiburg, Gänswein will be travelling to Vilnius in a few weeks - as papal ambassador for the Baltic states.
There he wants to talk not only with politicians, diplomats and bishops, "but also with as many of the faithful as possible", he told Bild am Sonntag. He is currently preparing for the new task, which he is looking forward to.
Gänswein has lived in Freiburg without an official assignment since his release from the Vatican in summer 2023. He was previously the private secretary to Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI for 19 years and initially retained this post under Pope Francis. After an internal dispute, Francis suspended the German.
However, he remained in the Vatican. After Ratzinger's death in 2022, Gänswein returned to the public eye. His book "Nothing but the Truth" made headlines because it contained details about conflicts between Francis and Benedict.
Pope Francis criticised the publication. He accused Gänswein of a lack of decency and humanity and relieved him of all Vatican duties.
Gänswein once again emphasised his good relationship with Francis, which was "relaxed and healthy".
At the same time, he admitted that he had made mistakes, "including in the collaboration with Pope Francis. I have recognised these and also acknowledged and then rectified them."