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Pope to celebrate Mass in Bavaria Pope holds Mass in native Bavaria
(about 2 hours later)
Pope Benedict XVI is to hold an outdoor Mass in his southern German homeland of Bavaria, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to attend. Pope Benedict XVI has been celebrating an outdoor Mass in his southern German homeland of Bavaria.
The Mass, near Munich, is one of three to be celebrated in the open air by the Pope during his six-day visit. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims were expected at the site near Munich, and many spent the night there.
When he arrived in Bavaria on Saturday, he was greeted by the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Horst Kohler - both of whom are Protestants. It is one of three Masses to be celebrated in the open air by the Pope during his six-day visit to Germany.
He spoke of his love for his homeland, saying: "My heart beats Bavarian." On his arrival on Saturday he was greeted by Chancellor Angela Merkel and spoke of his love for his homeland, saying: "My heart beats Bavarian."
Police in Munich are preparing for as many as 500,000 visitors.
The Mass in the Bavarian capital will be followed by others in the small town of Alltoeting and in the city of Regensburg.The Mass in the Bavarian capital will be followed by others in the small town of Alltoeting and in the city of Regensburg.
Inside of me, so many memories of my years in Munich and Regensburg are coming back Pope Benedict XVI This is the Pope's second visit to Germany and will be, says the Vatican, more spiritual and personal. He is due to visit Marktl-am-Inn, the village where he was born.Inside of me, so many memories of my years in Munich and Regensburg are coming back Pope Benedict XVI This is the Pope's second visit to Germany and will be, says the Vatican, more spiritual and personal. He is due to visit Marktl-am-Inn, the village where he was born.
The pontiff will also see his brother, retired priest Georg Ratzinger, and together they will go to the graves of their parents and sister.The pontiff will also see his brother, retired priest Georg Ratzinger, and together they will go to the graves of their parents and sister.
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.
'Deep traces''Deep traces'
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.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.
In an emotional speech at Munich airport on Saturday, 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."In an emotional speech at Munich airport on Saturday, 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."
Police say up to half a million followers could pack Munich But the trip has more than symbolic value for the Pope.Police say up to half a million followers could pack Munich 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.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.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."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.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.He last visited Germany just over a year ago to attend the World Youth Day celebrations in Cologne.