Thousands turn out for Czech papal mass

Tens of thousands of cheering faithful packed a Czech airfield today for a Mass by Pope Benedict XVI, who is midway through a pilgrimage aimed at nudging the ex-communist country back to its religious roots.

Faithful from the Czech Republic and neighbouring countries – including Austria, Germany, Poland and Slovakia – sang and waved Czech and Vatican flags as the pope’s plane touched down at the airport in the southern city of Brno.