Former pope Benedict XVI, who in 2013 became the first pontiff to resign as head of the Catholic Church since the Middle Ages, died on Saturday aged 95, the Vatican announced.
“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,” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement.
The German pope emeritus had been living a quiet life in a former convent inside the Vatican grounds since his shock decision to step down in February 2013.
His health had been declining for a long time, but the Vatican revealed on Wednesday that his situation had worsened, while his successor Pope Francis called for Catholics worldwide to pray for him.
His death brings to an end an unprecedented situation in which two “men in white” — Benedict and Francis — had co-existed within the walls of the tiny city state.
| Posted: at | |
gogoman
TRENDING GISTS 
EFCC Boss, Olukoyede Faces Visa Ban Threat Over Yahaya Bello's Case
Moses Bliss Reacts After A Troll Bashes Him For Allowing His Wife Preach Whenever They Go For Events
Manchester United v Arsenal: English Premier League Match,Team News,Goal Scorers and Stats
Your First Salary Belong To Your Father For His Blessings Not to Your Pastor - Kanayo O. Kanayo
JUST IN! Gov. Fubara Relocates Rivers Assembly Sitting To Government House
9yr Old Boy Stabs His 10yr Old Classmate to Death on Their Home From School