Rome, Italy, Aug 23, 2005 / 22:00 pm
The home in which Pope Benedict XVI was born in the small Bavarian town of Marktl am Inn will be sold for a record amount—as much as $6 million—but the town’s mayor has said it will only be allowed to be used as a museum dedicated to the Pontiff.
The owner of the property, Claudia Dald, who has decided to place the home on the market, received 30 different offers from people in the United States, Germany and some Arab countries. She said she has accepted one of the offers and that it will be finalized in the coming weeks.
Mayor Hubert Gschwendtner said that no matter who the new owner is, the 18th century home has been made an historical site, and although it could be used as a private residence, he said it would be preferable that it be converted into a museum, as it was for the childhood home of Karol Wojtyla in Wadowice.
Last Sunday, thousands of people gathered in Marklt am Inn to wave to the Pope as he flew over the town on his way back to Rome.
Fireworks were shot into the sky and local firemen illuminated the Pope’s home with huge spotlights as the Holy Father’s plane passed over.