The Prefect of the Pontifical Household, Archbishop Georg Ganswein, told Vatican Radio the extra General Audiences could possibly be on a Saturday.

Archbishop Gaenswein said that since the beginning of Pope Francis's pontificate in March 2013, 15 million people have been present for his General Audiences, Angelus addresses and special audiences in the Vatican.

The Pope's General Audience on August 26 will mark the 100th such occasion for Pope Francis.

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Archbishop Georg Ganswein told a university publication he didn't know why some pastors want to propose what is not possible.

"Perhaps they give in to the spirit of the time; perhaps they allow themselves to be guided by the human applause caused by the media . . . ."

But the true measure to be guided by is the Gospel, the faith, healthy doctrine, Tradition, the archbishop said.

The Church must help divorced and remarried Catholics, but not in a reductive way, he said.

"The Church must also be very sincere with faithful living in this situation. It's not only about saying: ‘They can, they can't'."

"It's important to get close to them, to create contact and maintain it because they are members of the Church as everyone else, they are not expelled and even less so excommunicated."

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Archbishop Georg Ganswein told a German website that to speak of "curial reform" is "somewhat of an exaggeration".

"I personally can see no significant reason which would necessitate a reform of the Curia at the moment," he said.

"One or two changes may be made, but that is part of the normal run of things."

Archbishop Ganswein is also the personal secretary of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

Reform of the Roman curia has become a key theme in Pope Francis's drive for change in the Church.

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In an interview with an Italian television station, the retired Pope's private secretary Archbishop Georg Ganswein mentioned Benedict's ongoing dialogue of prayer.

Archbishop Ganswein told Mediaset's La strada dei miracoli programme, "It is clear that a man who soon will turn 88 should be thinking about this."

He continued: "His is a Christian art - because preparing for death means preparing to meet the Lord, and this is a decisive meeting."

Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI turned 88 on April 16, two days after the first part of the programme was broadcast.

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Archbishop Georg Ganswein said Benedict is certain and serene about his decision, made for the good of the Church, because of his waning strength.

Archbishop Ganswein said the retired Pope's usual routine these days involves prayer, reading, keeping up with correspondence, receiving visitors, watching the evening news and walking in the Vatican Gardens.

Benedict, who turns 88 in April, has been playing the piano much more often.

"Mozart especially, but also other compositions that come to mind at the moment; he plays from memory," Archbishop Ganswein said.

The only health issues, the archbishop said, are "every now and then his legs give him some problems, that's all".

Benedict, who has had a pacemaker for several years and uses a cane, still has an incredibly sharp mind, Archbishop Ganswein added.

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