Former Pope Benedict XVI, who stepped down as the leader of the Catholic Church back in 2013, has sadly died aged 95.
“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.” pic.twitter.com/O5dxoPaVkT
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) December 31, 2022
Pope Francis has replaced him as head of the Catholic Church.
The health of the late Pope has been “worsening in the last hours” due to his age, the Vatican has announced.
A medical team has been monitoring his health.
Benedict made the shocking announcement on 11 February 2013 that he would be stepping down from his post. For hundreds of years before him, popes had remained head of the Church until their death.
He announced that he wanted to resign from his position as he no longer had the physical and mental strength to act as head of the Catholic Church.
More to follow.
