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Angelo Gugel, Discreet Aide to Three Popes, Dies at 90

He was at John Paul II’s side during the 1981 shooting in St. Peter’s Square.

Overview

  • Gugel served as aiutante di camera to John Paul I, John Paul II for 27 years, and Benedict XVI, remaining a constant presence in the papal household.
  • During the 13 May 1981 attack, he helped support the wounded Pope with Stanislao Dziwisz and Renato Buzzonetti before the emergency transfer to Policlinico Gemelli.
  • He entered Vatican service in 1955 as a gendarme, later moving to administrative roles and being chosen by Albino Luciani to serve as his aide.
  • His funeral is scheduled for Saturday 17 February at 16:00 at Santa Maria delle Grazie alle Fornaci in Rome.
  • Known for discretion, he gave rare recollections, including helping John Paul II refine Italian pronunciations and recalling the Pope baptizing his newborn daughter.