Everything is aboveboard. Have no fear.

As cardinals move to elect a new pope, the Vatican has seemed intent on getting people to forget the last one.

The Rev. Federico Lombardi said that Benedict won't be getting any inside information about the conclave — and that he would probably follow the proceedings on TV and by reading newspapers. That's a shift from the line taken just two days earlier, when Lombardi said Benedict is receiving regular briefings on cardinals' meetings from [his wildly attractive secretary] Gaenswein. (Snip.)

Shortly before announcing his retirement, Benedict gave Gaenswein the additional title of prefect of the papal household, meaning he would work with the new pope during the day and stay with Benedict in the evening. 

That has raised speculation about possible secret messages being shuttled between the two popes. Heightening the intrigue over Benedict's possible influence: Gaenswein will be inside the Sistine Chapel for part of the conclave in his new role as prefect. 

Move along. Nothing to see here except sweet, precious holiness. Why, it's as if the Holy Ghost is in charge of the conclave.

The (ahem) courier

You've probably read that a handsome prelate -- the Rev. Monsignor Gaenswein, a favorite of Pope Benedict -- will spend his days with the new popey guy while spending his nights with the old popey guy.

The retired pontiff is hanging on to his hunky private secretary, the Rev. Monsignor Gaenswein — and even moving him into his retirement quarters in the Vatican.

But Benedict has also given Gaenswein another gig as head of the new Pope’s household. And that means his closest confidante will be keeping tabs on his successor.

It remains to be seen how well Gaenswein serves two masters, but Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said he sees no conflict of interest.

Lombardi is one of the least perceptive men at the Vatican. So let's see...the outgoing popey guy said he'd pipe down and let the new pope run things. Uh-huh. I'm sure the old popey guy would never send a message to the new popey guy via this handy courier.

Because that's what Gaenswein will be: a courier, transmitting messages from the old authoritarian pope to the new authoritarian pope. Change in leadership, my ass.