“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 spokesman said in a written statement.
, who in 2013 became the first pontiff in 600 years to step down, died on Saturday aged 95 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican where he had lived since his resignation, a spokesman for the Holy See said.
Earlier this week, Pope Francis disclosed during his weekly general audience that his predecessor was “very sick”, and asked for people to pray for him. For nearly 25 years, as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Benedict was the powerful head of the Vatican’s doctrinal office, then known as the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith .
Conservatives in the Church have looked to the former pope as their standard bearer and some ultra-traditionalists even refused to acknowledge Francis as a legitimate pontiff. They have criticized Francis for his more welcoming approach to members of the LGBTQ+ community and to Catholics who divorced and remarried outside the Church, saying both were undermining traditional values.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Former pope Benedict XVI dies aged 95VATICAN CITY: Former pope Benedict XVI has died at the age of 95, the Vatican announced Saturday, almost a decade after he became the first pontiff to resign in six centuries....
Read more »
Factbox: Former pope Benedict, his papacy and resignationFormer pope Benedict, who died on Saturday, was the first pontiff in 600 years to resign from the post rather than rule for life. Here are some facts about 95-year-old Benedict and his papacy.
Read more »
Diocese of Balanga to offer holy masses, prayers for Pope Benedict XVIThe Diocese of Balanga in Bataan will offer its holy masses and prayers for the health of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
Read more »
Prayers in Germany, Rome for frail ex-pope BenedictEx-pope Benedict XVI&39;s condition remains stable, the Vatican said Friday, as Catholics prayed for the 95-year old former pontiff whose health has seriously deteriorated.
Read more »