Benedict XVI: Former Pope Dies at Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in Vatican Aged 95

Benedict XVI: Former Pope Dies at Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in Vatican Aged 95

  • Pope Benedict XVI was a retired Catholic Church pope who served as the head of the church from 2005 to 2013
  • He resigned on 28 February 2013 and served after taking over the church's mantle of leadership from Pope John Paul II
  • Pope Benedict became the first pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415 and spent his last days at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery within the Vatican

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Former Pope Benedict XVI has died.

Pope Benedict XVI
Former pope Benedict XVI has died at Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, Vatican Aged 95. Photo Reuters.
Source: UGC

Pope Benedict dead

The pope's demise was confirmed by a spokesman for the Holy See who said the beloved clergy rested on Saturday in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican.

According to Reuters, in a written statement, the spokesman said:

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Pope Francis Emotionally Asks for Prayers for Ailing Pope Benedict XVI: "Very Sick"

"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. Further information will be provided as soon as possible."

New York Post reported that Pope Benedict's death came after Pope Francis asked for church members to pray for the German-born clergy.

During his weekly general audience, the Pope said:

“I want to ask you all for a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict who sustains the Church in his silence. He is very sick. We ask the Lord to console and sustain him in this witness of love for the Church to the very end.”

Pope Benedict was born on April 16, 1927, in Bavaria. He was named Joseph Ratzinger.

Pope very sick

On Wednesday, December 28, YEN.com.gh reported that Pope Francis has said his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI was very sick and asked the faithful to pray for the retired pontiff.

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Francis did not elaborate on Benedict's condition as he made the surprise appeal at the end of his general audience.

Benedict became the first pope in some 600 years to resign in 2013, with the former pontiff taking the title of pope emeritus. Since then, he has been living in the Vatican.

"I'd like to ask all of you for a special prayer for Emeritus Pope Benedict, who, in silence, is sustaining the church," Pope Francis said in his remarks.

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