Former leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI, is dead.
The former leader died aged 95 died almost a decade after he resigned following his health.
Benedict was the first to resign since Pope Gregory resigned in XII in 1415.
He died at his Vatican residence, Mater Ecclesiae monastery within the walls of the Vatican.
According to a statement released by the Vatican, “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 the body of the Pope Emeritus will be placed in St Peter’s Basilica from 2 January for “the greeting of the faithful”.
Plans for Pope Benedict’s funeral will be announced in the next few hours, the Vatican stated in the statement.
