Pope Benedict XVI arrived at Berlin's Tegel airport Thursday morning.

About 6,000 police officers are securing the visit, authorities told CNN.

"Even though this journey is an official visit which will reinforce the good relations existing between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Holy See, I have not come here primarily to pursue particular political or economic goals, but rather to meet people and to speak about God," the pope said during a speech at Bellevue Castle.