Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. (File photo)
ROME – Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has died, the Vatican announced on Saturday.
The former pontiff was 95.
"With sorrow, I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican," Vatican Spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement which was also posted on social media.
"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".
On Wednesday Pope Francis had asked the faithful to pray for his predecessor who, according to him, was very sick.
The German ex-pontiff resigned on February 11, 2013. He was the first pope to resign in 600 years because of ill health.
Born and named Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI had taken over the highest post from Polish Pope Saint John Paul II on April 19, 2005. (ANSA)
