Benedict has visited his native Germany twice since becoming pope in 2005, but this will be his first official state visit.
Germany's President Christian Wulff said Tuesday it is a
"great joy" for him to welcome the head of the Roman Catholic Church in
Germany during his three-day visit to the cities of Berlin, Freiburg and
Erfurt.
The 83 years-old Benedict, the former archbishop of Munich Joseph Ratzinger, will be visiting Germany from Sept. 22 to Sept. 25.
SIC: WFP/USA