German Fury at 'insults' to Pope

German newspapers reacted with fury yesterday to British media reports focusing on Pope Benedict's teenage membership of the Hitler Youth.

Bild, Germany's bestselling newspaper, led a chorus of outrage with the headline "Hitler Youth - the English insult German Pope."

The paper complained about coverage in the Sun ("From Hitler Youth to Pope"), Daily Telegraph ("God's Rottweiler") and Daily Mirror ("Panzerkardinal"). It added: "The world celebrates the new Pope and the British make a stink."

Several German newspapers reminded readers that the future Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger had deserted from the German army at the end of the second world war - an action that could have cost him his life. They also pointed out that from March 1939, all German boys between the ages of 10 and 11 were obliged to serve in the Hitler Youth.

Die Welt said the Pope's appointment was a "gesture of forgiveness towards Germany".

German commentators were incensed by the Independent's decision to print a photograph of the Pope wearing the wartime uniform of his anti-aircraft unit - rather than one of him blessing the crowds in St Peter's Square.

The Munich-based paper TZ accused Britain's press of trotting out the same "old cliches".

In an interview with TZ, meanwhile, the Pope's brother, Georg, 81, admitted he was sad about the appointment, saying they would now never be able to spend any time together.

· The Pope confirmed Cardinal Angelo Sodano in the Vatican's number two post yesterday and kept all other senior officials - avoiding any immediate shake-up in his late predecessor's administration. It was a sign that the new pontiff, a doctrinal hardliner, wants to show continuity with the popular John Paul II.