Relations between the Holy See and the Federal Republic of Germany have traditionally been good. The Pope and the Roman Catholic Church are important interlocutors on issues such as conflict prevention and resolution, displacement and migration, environmental and climate protection, and the preservation of the multilateral world order.

The most recent visit to Germany by an incumbent Pope took place in September 2011, when Pope Benedict XVI attended World Youth Day in Cologne and visited his native Bavaria.

The Federal President, the Federal Chancellor and a number of Minister-Presidents of the German Länder have been received by the Pope for private audiences in recent years.