The first German pope in 1,000 years, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died at the age of 95, at his residence, Mater Ecclesiae monastery, Vatican. The pope who became the first pontiff to step down as head of the Catholic church in 600 years served as leader of the church from 2005 to 2013.
His demise was announced by the Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, who in a statement noted “With sorrow, I inform you that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away today at 9.34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. Further information will be provided as soon as possible.”
His death comes after Pope Francis announced during his weekly audience on 28 December that Benedict was “very sick”.
Pope Benedict, born Joseph Ratzinger in Germany, was 78 when in 2005 he became one of the oldest popes ever elected. During his reign, the Catholic Church faced allegations, legal claims and official reports of decades of child abuse by priests.
His death has now ended an unprecedented period in recent history where two popes have co-existed.
