Benedict, 93, made the journey from Rome to his Bavarian homeland with his personal secretary, Archbishop Georg Gänswein.
In a statement June 18, Bishop Georg Bätzing, president of the German bishops' conference, said: "It is with great joy and respect that I welcome Pope emeritus Benedict XVI to Germany. We are happy that he, who was a member of our bishops' conference for several years, has returned to his homeland, although the occasion is a sad one. The pope emeritus wants to be close to his brother, Protonotary Apostolic Dr. Georg Ratzinger, whose health has deteriorated."
"From the bottom of my heart I wish Pope emeritus Benedict XVI a good stay in Germany and the necessary rest to look after his brother privately. My prayers will accompany his stay and the journey of his brother Georg."
The Diocese of Regensburg said in a statement Thursday: "Pope emeritus Benedict XVI flew this morning from Rome to Bavaria to be at the side of his seriously ill 96-year-old brother. It is perhaps the last time that the two brothers, Georg and Joseph Ratzinger, will see each other in this world."
The diocese asked the public to respect the two brothers' privacy during the visit.
"All people who wish to express their sympathy are invited to say a silent prayer for the two brothers," it said.