Italian town makes pope's brother citizen

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Pope Benedict XVI's brother has become an honorary citizen of Castel Gandolfo, the Italian hill town outside Rome where the pope spends his summers.

The Rev. Georg Ratzinger, 83, formerly the director of the choir at Regensburg Cathedral in Germany, was admitted Thursday at a ceremony, the Italian news agency ANSA reported. Benedict spoke of the help his brother, two years older, has given him throughout their lives.

''We have arrived at the last stage of our lives, at old age, and the days left to live grow progressively fewer,'' the pope said. ''But even at this stage my brother helps me to accept the weight of each day with serenity, humility and courage. I thank him.''

Benedict also thanked the town council for the honor bestowed on his brother.

Ratzinger also accompanied his brother this summer for a two-week stay in a medieval monastery at Bressanone in northern Italy.