Former Pope Benedict XVI Dies at 95

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Former Pope Benedict XVI has died at the age of 95, a statement from the Vatican on Saturday has announced.

The late pontiff was the first to resign from the position in about 600 years. The first in the history of the Vatican was Gregory XII in 1415.

In 2005, Pope Benedict, born Joseph Ratzinger in Germany, became the oldest pope ever elected at 78, but in 2013, he stepped down on health grounds and remained at his Vatican residence, precisely at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery.

“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,” the Vatican said in a terse statement, which further said the remains of the pontiff would be placed in St Peter’s Basilica from January 2, 2023, for the greeting of the faithful and on January 5, Pope Francis will lead the funeral in St Peter’s Square in Rome.

Recall that on Wednesday, the pope asked members of the Catholic church to pray for his predecessor due to his failing health.