Pope Benedict arrives in Germany for home visit

Pope Benedict XVI has arrived in Germany on his first state visit to his homeland.

He is expected to be greeted by large protests and even larger crowds of Catholic faithful.

The Bavarian-born pontiff was met on a red carpet at Berlin’s Tegel airport today by German chancellor Angela Merkel and president Christian Wulff at the start of his four-day visit.

He will speak in the German parliament later, which many politicians have vowed to boycott in protest. Another 10,000 are expected to demonstrate outside.

The Pope plans meetings with leaders of Germany’s Jewish and Muslim communities, three Masses, an ecumenical service with Lutheran church members, and possibly meetings with victims abused by priests.