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Pope in visit to German hometown Pope in visit to German home town
(about 3 hours later)
Pope Benedict XVI is due to visit his birthplace, the town of Marktl-am-Inn, as part of a six-day trip to his southern German homeland of Bavaria.Pope Benedict XVI is due to visit his birthplace, the town of Marktl-am-Inn, as part of a six-day trip to his southern German homeland of Bavaria.
The house where the 79-year-old pontiff was born had to be repainted after someone threw paint at it last week. The Pope began the day with an open-air Mass in the nearby town of Altoetting, attended by at least 60,000 people.
The Pope began the day with an open-air Mass in the town of Altoetting, where thousands had gathered for the service. Alongside with the 79-year-old pontiff on the platform was his brother Georg, 82, who is a retired priest.
He will also visit Regensburg, where he taught theology and where his brother George, a retired priest, still lives. The Pope hopes his visit will help stem the decline in church attendances in Bavaria, correspondents say.
The Pope will only make a half-hour stop in Marktl-am-Inn, a town of 2,700 residents. Enthusiastic welcome
The Pope will only make a half-hour afternoon stop in Marktl-am-Inn, a town of 2,700 residents.
Tens of thousands of people flocked to Altoetting for the massTens of thousands of people flocked to Altoetting for the mass
The house where he was born in 1927 had to be renovated after unknown attackers had thrown paint on it. The house where he was born in 1927 had to be cleaned after unknown attackers threw paint at it.
Police described the attack - early on Sunday - as an act of vandalism rather than a protest.Police described the attack - early on Sunday - as an act of vandalism rather than a protest.
He will also visit the Church of St Oswald, where he is expected to meet residents. In Altoetting, the Pope was given an enthusiastic welcome by huge crowds after flying by helicopter from Munich.
Also on Monday, the pontiff will visit Freising, where he was ordained. During the mass in the town's Kapellplatz square, he urged the congregation to make more space for God, "giving him a place in the world, in our lives, and letting him enter into our time and our activity".
He has been using his visit to stem the decline in church attendances that are affecting even such a staunchly Roman Catholic region as Bavaria, correspondents say. The pontiff also led the responses as a prayer was read out for the victims of the 11 September attacks in the US five years ago.
Altoetting is known for its wooden statue of the Black Madonna, which attracts many pilgrims every year.
The town has special significance for Catholics because two miracles are said to have taken place in past centuries.
Also on Monday, the pontiff will visit the towns of Refensburg, where he taught theology, and Freising, where he was ordained.
Parents' gravesParents' graves
As his tour of Bavaria continues, on Wednesday Pope Benedict will spend the day privately with his brother, when the two of them will visit the graves of their mother and father. As his tour of Bavaria continues on Wednesday, Pope Benedict will spend the day privately with his brother, when the two of them will visit the graves of their mother and father.
The Pope has described the visit to Bavaria as a joyous personal journey. The Pope has described the visit to Bavaria - a staunchly Roman Catholic region - as a joyous personal journey.
On his arrival on Saturday, he was greeted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and spoke of his love for his homeland, saying: "My heart beats Bavarian."On his arrival on Saturday, he was greeted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and spoke of his love for his homeland, saying: "My heart beats Bavarian."
While he faces a warm welcome from many thousands of Catholics in Germany, some have been critical of his uncompromising condemnation of gay marriage and abortion, the BBC's David Willey says.While he faces a warm welcome from many thousands of Catholics in Germany, some have been critical of his uncompromising condemnation of gay marriage and abortion, the BBC's David Willey says.
Such criticism has tempered German pride in last year's election of the first German Pope for centuries, our correspondent adds.Such criticism has tempered German pride in last year's election of the first German Pope for centuries, our correspondent adds.
This is the Pope's second visit to Germany.This is the Pope's second visit to Germany.
He last visited his native country just over a year ago to attend the World Youth Day celebrations in Cologne.He last visited his native country just over a year ago to attend the World Youth Day celebrations in Cologne.