U.S. nun to be among Germans greeting pope in Pentling

Published: 2006-09-01

PENTLING, Germany (CNS) -- A U.S. nun will be among Germans greeting Pope Benedict XVI when he returns to his home in Pentling. Carmelite Sister Emmanuel Hofbauer of St. Joseph Carmelite Monastery in Shoreline, Wash., north of Seattle, has a special bond with Pope Benedict that spans decades and began when she was praying for him. Now Rupert Hofbauer, Pope Benedict's neighbor who cares for the house the pontiff still owns in Pentling, has invited Sister Emmanuel -- no relation -- to stay with him for two weeks, including Sept. 9-14, when Pope Benedict returns to his native Bavaria. "When he visits his house in Pentling," said Hofbauer, "everything will be shut off. Only neighbors will be allowed in the area, with a special permit. Since she will be staying with us, I have obtained such a permit for Sister Emmanuel also. I understand that Pope Benedict XVI will be greeting all the neighbors in person, and Sister Emmanuel will also be present to welcome him." Sister Emmanuel told Catholic News Service Sept. 1 that she carries many items that have been entrusted to her to give to the pope, including a letter from Archbishop Alex J. Brunett of Seattle.

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