Early in his career, the pope, formerly known as Joseph Ratzinger, worked as an advisor to Frings, who died in 1978.

Media reports said the foundation had bid up to 3.5 million euros ($4.1 million) for the house in the Bavarian village of Marktl am Inn, but realtors say it's more likely to be sold for around one million euros. The foundation plans to turn the house in which the pope was born on April 19, 1927 into a museum devoted to him.

Intrusive tourists