At least 200,000 people have turned out for an open-air mass in Munich, celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI. The 79-year-old German pontiff is in Bavaria for six days, a region where he once served as archbishop. The mass has taken place at a massive fairground, on the site of Munich’s old airport.

Pope Benedict says he wants his visit to help revive Christian belief in Germany, a country with equally strong Catholic and Protestant communities. The country’s president says the pontiff urged him to encourage more dialogue with German Muslims, to show the Islamic world they welcome in the country. Authorities say they are expecting up to half a million people to turn out to various events being led by the Pope.

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