Pope Benedict XVI began a four-day visit to his native Germany on Thursday, a move that was met with both protests and celebration.
The pope said he understood why so many people were angry with the Catholic Church and leaving it.
I can understand that in the face of such reports, people, especially those close to victims, would say 'this isn't my Church anymore,' he told reporters, Al Jazeera reported.
Approximately 6,000 police were on duty in Berlin while the pope was in the city, National Public Radio reported.
As for protestors, the pope said he hoped they would be civil, Al Jazeera reported.
It's normal in a free society marked by strong secularism, he said, Al Jazeera reported. I respect those who speak out.
Here are photos of protestors and faithful.
Pope Benedict XVI celebrates the Holy Eucharist at the Olympic stadium in Berlin, September 22, 2011. Pope Benedict starts his most difficult visit yet to his German homeland on Thursday, touring mostly Protestant and atheist regions in the ex-communist east after previous visits to Catholic strongholds in the Rhineland and his native Bavaria.ReutersDemonstrators opposing the visit of Pope Benedict XVI hold a protest in Berlin September 22, 2011. Pope Benedict appealed to Catholics not to leave the Catholic Church as he arrived on Thursday for a four-day visit to Germany, where record numbers of the faithful have quit the pews in protest against clerical sex abuse scandals. ReutersA demonstrator opposing the visit of Pope Benedict XVI wears a caricature of a Catholic nun with a slogan reading 'Never Again', during a protest in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin September 22, 2011. Pope Benedict appealed to Catholics not to leave the Catholic Church as he arrived on Thursday for a four-day visit to Germany, where record numbers of the faithful have quit the pews in protest against clerical sex abuse scandals. ReutersA baby boy is lifted into the Popemobile to meet Pope Benedict XVI as the pontiff arrives to conduct a Holy Eucharist at the Olympic stadium in Berlin, September 22, 2011.ReutersArtist Wolfram P. Kastner (R) wears a costume depicting the pope to bring attention to a historical agreement between the Vatican and the Third Reich during a protest in Berlin September 22, 2011. Pope Benedict starts his most difficult visit yet to his German homeland on Thursday, touring mostly Protestant and atheist regions in the ex-communist east after previous visits to Catholic strongholds in the Rhineland and his native Bavaria.ReutersFaithful sing a hymn during a Holy Eucharist celebration lead by Pope Benedict XVI at the Olympic stadium in Berlin September 22, 2011. Pope Benedict urged the faithful not to leave the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday as he began a four-day visit to Germany, where record numbers have quit the pews in protest against clerical sex abuse of youths. About 100 left-wing deputies planned to boycott the pope's speech to the Bundestag, saying it violates the separation of church and state. ReutersA demonstrator opposing the visit of Pope Benedict XVI dresses as a Cardinal and holds an action figure doll during a protest at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin September 22, 2011. Pope Benedict appealed to Catholics not to leave the Catholic Church as he arrived on Thursday for a four-day visit to Germany, where record numbers of the faithful have quit the pews in protest against clerical sex abuse scandals. ReutersFaithful cheer as they await Pope Benedict XVI to lead a Holy Eucharist celebration at the Olympic stadium in Berlin September 22, 2011. Pope Benedict urged the faithful not to leave the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday as he began a four-day visit to Germany, where record numbers have quit the pews in protest against clerical sex abuse of youths. About 100 left-wing deputies planned to boycott the pope's speech to the Bundestag, saying it violates the separation of church and state. ReutersPope Benedict XVI blesses a baby from the Pope Mobile as he arrives to lead a Holy Eucharist celebration at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin September 22, 2011. Pope Benedict urged the faithful not to leave the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday as he began a four-day visit to Germany, where record numbers have quit the pews in protest against clerical sex abuse of youths. About 100 left-wing deputies planned to boycott the pope's speech to the Bundestag, saying it violates the separation of church and state.ReutersDemonstrators opposing the visit of Pope Benedict XVI sing songs during a protest at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin September 22, 2011. Pope Benedict appealed to Catholics not to leave the Catholic Church as he arrived on Thursday for a four-day visit to Germany, where record numbers of the faithful have quit the pews in protest against clerical sex abuse scandals.ReutersA demonstrator opposing the visit of Pope Benedict XVI waves a toilet bowl brush during a protest at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin September 22, 2011. Pope Benedict appealed to Catholics not to leave the Catholic Church as he arrived on Thursday for a four-day visit to Germany, where record numbers of the faithful have quit the pews in protest against clerical sex abuse scandals.ReutersDemonstrators opposing the visit of Pope Benedict XVI hold a protest near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin September 22, 2011. Pope Benedict appealed to Catholics not to leave the Catholic Church as he arrived on Thursday for a four-day visit to Germany, where record numbers of the faithful have quit the pews in protest against clerical sex abuse scandals.ReutersA demonstrator opposing the visit of Pope Benedict XVI wears a sign reading "1 Pope - No Hope" during a protest at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin September 22, 2011. Pope Benedict appealed to Catholics not to leave the Catholic Church as he arrived on Thursday for a four-day visit to Germany, where record numbers of the faithful have quit the pews in protest against clerical sex abuse scandals. ReutersDemonstrators opposing the visit of Pope Benedict XVI dress as Catholic nuns during a protest at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin September 22, 2011. Pope Benedict appealed to Catholics not to leave the Catholic Church as he arrived on Thursday for a four-day visit to Germany, where record numbers of the faithful have quit the pews in protest against clerical sex abuse scandals.ReutersA demonstrator opposing the visit of Pope Benedict XVI holds a large signboard during a protest at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin September 22, 2011. Pope Benedict appealed to Catholics not to leave the Catholic Church as he arrived on Thursday for a four-day visit to Germany, where record numbers of the faithful have quit the pews in protest against clerical sex abuse scandals.Reuters
