Today begins the papal visit to his homeland of Bavaria.

The official page for the visit from the German end of things.

Here’s the page with EWTN’s broadcast schedule.

Here’s the link to Vatican Television, which I assume will be broadcasting as well.

Things begin at 9:30 am eastern, with his arrival in Munich. I have to say, though, that I’m most looking forward to this, on Sunday:

VESPERS WITH YOUNG FAMILIES, CATECHISTS AND CHILDREN FROM THE MUNICH CATHEDRAL (60:00) LIVE Sunday September 10, 2006 11:30 AM Sunday September 10, 2006 10 PM ENCORE

Here’s the official, minute-by-minute schedule, at the Vatican website.

Here’s the page at which texts of the Pope’s remarks, homilies and adresses will be posted…we’ll see how fast those translations come!

And then, since no one can keep up with these things like the Papa Ratzinger Forum, just bookmark this thread over there – they already have some really interesting stuff posted, including a 2-part backgrounder from L’Osservatore Romano – and a translation of the Pope’s letter to the people of Bavaria, in anticipation of his visit, and signed, "Your Pope Benedict."

I know I am bound to you all and I thank you that you are taking the effort to come as pilgrims which can mean hours of patient waiting.

The bishops of the dioceses concerned with my visit have chosen a sentence from the homily at my inaugural Mass as a motto for these days of encounter: “He who believes is never alone.’

We will meet each other within our common faith and experience our meeting as a communion of the faithful. This communion goes back to many generations over the centuries which have formed the Bavarian people and their Christian culture in the spirit of the Gospel.

This communion embraces our people even today, so that a somewhat weary Christendom can experience a springlike time and gain courage for a new breakthrough.I wish with all my heart that my visit to the homeland will reawaken joy in Christianity and can strengthen confidence that the Church undertakes the responsibility to look after the future of mankind.

With that I join my hope that ever more young people will overcome their doubts about the ability of the Church to deal with and survive into the future, and that they may decide for a vocation in the priesthood or in the religious orders.

Let us fill ourselves, during the days of my visit and in the days to follow, with the knowledge that the Church does not live from us and our efforts, but only from the love of Christ, in which we must always trust.

Beautiful. But are we surprised any more?

On p. 2 of the thread is an interesting article about the Papal Posse – who goes along, who does what, etc.

And for photos…just keep refreshing this link.

Also go here, to the Catholic Press Photo site and here, to the new L’Osservatore Romano photo site.