Former Pope Benedict XVI has died, the Vatican announces
Sad news for the parishioners of the Catholic Church. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has passed away. He died at the age of 95, the Vatican announced. The German theologian, whose resignation in 2013 took the world by surprise, died during the morning, and his lifeless body will be deposited on Monday in the "St. Peter's" Basilica, so that people can pay their last respects.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has died nearly a decade after stepping down due to ill health. He was the first sovereign pontiff in 600 years to take such a step, instead of remaining at the head of the Church for life. The condition of the former sovereign pontiff worsened at the end of this year, and Pope Francis had urged the faithful to pray for the former head of the Catholic Church.
"We inform you that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away this morning at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery in the Vatican. On Wednesday, the 28th afternoon, he received the anointing of the sick in the monastery at the end of the Holy Liturgy. The funeral will take place next Thursday, January 5 at 9:30 a.m. in St. Peter's Square and will be presided over by Pope Francis," said the head of the Vatican press service, Matteo Bruni.
Although the former sovereign pontiff had been ill for some time, the Holy See stated that there had been an aggravation of his condition due to his advanced age. On Wednesday, Pope Francis appealed at his last audience of the year at the Vatican for "a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict," who he said was very ill.
Born Joseph Ratzinger in Germany, Benedict was 78 when, in 2005, he became one of the oldest popes ever elected. The election of Pope Benedict XVI was one of the fastest in the history of the Conclaves. The 265th pope was elected on the fifth vote, on the second day of the Conclave. The College of Cardinals promptly chose the one who succeeded Pope John Paul II.
For most of his pontificate, the Catholic Church has faced accusations, legal complaints and official reports of decades of child abuse by priests. Since his retirement, the pope emeritus has lived in a small monastery in the Vatican, accompanied by four monks and his personal secretary.
