Residents of German town recall their most famous son, Pope Benedict

Published: 2005-06-09

PENTLING, Germany (CNS) -- Residents of this Bavarian village say Pope Benedict XVI -- who still considers Pentling home -- is a modest man of great intelligence, a great preacher and someone who took an active interest in the community. Since 1969, when he arrived at Regensburg University to teach, Pope Benedict has owned a house in Pentling. Located just outside the Regensburg city limits, the Bavarian village has kept its rural character. Its nearly 7,000 inhabitants include many university professors who can walk to work. Pope Benedict, born Joseph Ratzinger, has become a community fixture in the village. His friends were jovial recently as they sat around a table at the local restaurant, Altes Tor, sharing their memories. "He knows everyone here by name and would often ask about our families or offer his advice for our problems," said former Mayor Gerhard Klier. His wife, Margit, added: "He may be pope now, but to us he will always stay our priest, our adviser, our role model, friend and confidant to whom many of us owe the solid foundation of our faith."

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