Former Pope Benedict XVI Dies At 95

Former Pope Benedict XVI Dies At 95

 

Joseph Ratzinger, the former head of the Catholic Church, took the place of Pope John Paul II in 2005. But after less than eight years as head of the Catholic Church, Francis resigned in 2013 owing to failing health.

Since Gregory XII’s resignation in 1415, he was the first pope to step down.

Benedict passed away on December 31, 2022, early on Saturday morning, according to a spokesman for the Holy See.

They said: “With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9.34am in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. Further information will be provided as soon as possible.”

Benedict spent his final years at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery within the walls of the Vatican where he passed away at 09:34 (08:34 GMT) on Saturday.

His successor Pope Francis will lead the funeral on 5 January.

The Vatican said the body of the Pope Emeritus will be placed in St Peter’s Basilica from 2 January for “the greeting of the faithful”.

Bells rang out from Munich cathedral and a single bell was heard ringing from St Peter’s Square in Rome after the former pope’s death was announced.