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Pope makes 'personal' German trip Pope speaks of 'Bavarian heart'
(about 8 hours later)
Pope Benedict XVI has arrived in southern Germany for a six-day visit to his homeland, Bavaria. Pope Benedict XVI has spoken emotionally of his attachment to his southern German homeland of Bavaria as he arrived there for a six-day visit.
He landed in Munich, where he will hold an open-air mass for an expected 250,000 people on Sunday - one of three planned masses during his tour. "My heart beats Bavarian," he said before landing in Munich, where he was met by Chancellor Angela Merkel.
He is also due to visit the village of his birth, Marktl-am-Inn, and meet his brother, Georg, a retired priest. The Pope greeted cheering crowds in the city's main square, the Marienplatz.
On Sunday he will hold an open-air mass for an expected 250,000 people. He will also visit his birthplace, Marktl-am-Inn, and meet his brother.
This is the Pope's second visit to Germany and will be, says the Vatican, more spiritual and personal.This is the Pope's second visit to Germany and will be, says the Vatican, more spiritual and personal.
But 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.But 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.
'Private day' 'Deep traces'
Before his visit, Pope Benedict told German TV: "I want to see again the places and the people I grew up with and which shaped me and formed my life, and to thank those people." Pope Benedict taught theology in Regensburg from 1969 until becoming archbishop of Munich in 1977, where he stayed until 1982 before being called to work at the Vatican.
Police are preparing for as many as 500,000 visitors this weekend in Munich, where the Pope once served both as priest and bishop. Police say up to half a million followers could pack Munich
Pope Benedict's visit to Bavaria will be his fourth trip abroad In an emotional speech at Munich airport, the 79-year-old Pope said: "Inside of me, so many memories of my years in Munich and Regensburg are coming back, memories of people and events that left deep traces in me."
His mass in the Bavarian capital will be followed by others in the small town of Alltoeting and in Regensburg city. He greeted thousands of cheering followers in Munich's Marienplatz and prayed at a 17th-Century statue of the Virgin Mary.
Wednesday will be a "private day", says the Vatican. Police in the city are preparing for as many as 500,000 visitors this weekend.
The Pope will visit his brother, Monsignor Georg Ratzinger, in Regensburg and together they will go to the graves of their parents and sister. The Pope's mass in the Bavarian capital on Sunday will be followed by others in the small town of Alltoeting and in the city of Regensburg.
Pope Benedict, 79, has travelled abroad three times since becoming pontiff in April 2005 - all within Europe. He last visited Germany just over a year ago to attend the World Youth Day celebrations in Cologne. He will make a brief stop at his birthplace of Marktl-am-Inn on Monday.
His predecessor John Paul II made numerous trips spanning the globe to meet Catholics and reach out to other faiths. Wednesday will be a "private day", says the Vatican. The Pope will visit his brother, retired priest Monsignor Georg Ratzinger, in Regensburg and together they will go to the graves of their parents and sister.
Last month, Pope Benedict said he "never felt strong enough to plan many long trips" but added, "where such a trip allows me to communicate a message or where... it's in response to a sincere request, I'd like to go." Church challenge
But the trip has more than symbolic value for the Pope.
It is also intended to counter the rapid decline in religious observance in Germany, where more than 100,000 people are said officially to leave the church every year.
Pope Benedict admitted there was "fatigue everywhere", but said he had also seen an "incredible dynamism" in Germany ahead of his visit.
Earlier, he told reporters he would like to visit more of Germany, but: "I am an old man, and I don't know how much time the Lord will give me."
Pope Benedict's predecessor John Paul II was an enthusiastic traveller, but Pope Benedict has made only three trips abroad since becoming pontiff in April 2005 - all within Europe.
He last visited Germany just over a year ago to attend the World Youth Day celebrations in Cologne.