Pope's house frenzy

Vandals threw paint-filled balloons at the house where Pope Benedict XVI was born Sunday, a day before the pontiff planned to visit his hometown during his six-day trip to Bavaria.

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No serious damage was done to the house in the town of Marktl am Inn, said Bavarian state police spokesman Josef Bichlmeier said. He said the balloons were filled with blue paint.

Earlier this year, the Roman Catholic Church took possession of the home in the south German village. A church foundation agreed in December 2005 to buy the house for an undisclosed sum, and said it would turn it into a museum.

The church beat out scores of bidders, including a Saudi sheik...