By J. Jala | 05:50 PM December 31, 2022
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has died at the age of 95, the Vatican announced.
“With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 AM in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. Further information will be provided as soon as possible. As of Monday morning, 2 January 2023, the body of the Pope Emeritus will be in Saint Peter’s Basilica so the faithful can bid farewell.”
His death on Saturday came days after Pope Francis had asked for prayers for his predecessor, saying he was “very sick”.
Vatican says former pope died in his residence at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery.
He led the Catholic Church for less than eight years until, in 2013, he became the first Pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415.