MUNICH, Germany, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Thousands of people crowded into Munich Saturday to greet Pope Benedict XVI on his second trip to Germany since his elevation.
Joseph Ratzinger grew up in Bavaria and entered the priesthood there, leaving in 1982 as an archbishop to serve in the Vatican.
President Horst Kohler and Chancellor Angela Merkel along with a large crowd welcomed the pope when he arrived at the airport, Voice of America reported. More people jammed the Marienplatz, where Benedict led the faithful in prayer.
Security was tight, and the papal visit brought Munich to a near standstill, Deutsche Welle reported. Saturday morning, before his arrival, most city residents appeared to have heeded warnings to avoid the downtown area to the point where stores were almost empty.
Benedict's schedule includes a visit to his birthplace, Markt am Inn, and to Regensburg, where he was a professor of theology. He also plans to visit a shrine in Altoetting.
