Papal election put small German town in international spotlight

Published: 2005-05-04

MARKTL AM INN, Germany (CNS) -- When German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI, the dramatic change in his life was reflected in his home town, Marktl am Inn. The house where Pope Benedict was born, at Marktplatz 11, has become the focus of international attention, as have the 2,700 residents of Marktl. "The world press have been on my doorstep ever since he became pope," said 82-year-old Anna Fischer, the last surviving neighbor of the Ratzingers in Marktl. "French, Italians, Japanese journalists -- they were all here." The local bakery now offers Vatican bread and Ratzinger cake, and one of the stores sells pope honey and Benedict XVI tea.

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