The 95-year-old Pope Emeritus died at 9:34 am on Saturday morning at his residence at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican.
Pope Benedict XVI. (Creative Commons)
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has returned to the Father’s House, Vatican News reported on Saturday, 31 December.
The 95-year-old Pope Emeritus died at 9:34 am on Saturday morning at his residence at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in 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,” Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office of the Roman Curia, said in a statement.
The former Pope had chosen the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery as his residence after resigning from the Petrine ministry on 28 February 2013.
The health condition of Pope Emeritus worsened over the past few days. Pope Francis invited people to pray for Pope Emeritus.
Pope Francis will preside over the funeral of the Pope Emeritus on 5 January 2023, at 9.30, central European time, in St. Peter’s Square, Bruni announced.
Born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger in Bavaria, Germany, on 16 April 1927, Benedict XVI was the first Pope to resign in 600 years — after Gregory XII was forced to resign in 1415.
Pope Benedict XVI, ordained on 29 June 1951, cited a “lack of strength of mind and body” due to his advanced age as the reason to step down.
He took charge of the papacy on 19 April 2005 after the death of Pope John Paul II.
Leaders from all around the globe offered condolences to the former Supreme Pontiff.
“Saddened by the passing away of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who devoted his entire life to the Church and the teachings of Lord Christ. He will be remembered for his rich service to society. My thoughts are with the millions around the world who grieve his passing,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.
Saddened by the passing away of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who devoted his entire life to the Church and the teachings of Lord Christ. He will be remembered for his rich service to society. My thoughts are with the millions around the world who grieve his passing.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 31, 2022
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also expressed his grief by tweeting, “I am saddened to learn of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. He was a great theologian whose UK visit in 2010 was a historic moment for both Catholics and non-Catholics throughout our country. My thoughts are with Catholic people in the UK and around the world today.”
I am saddened to learn of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
He was a great theologian whose UK visit in 2010 was an historic moment for both Catholics and non-Catholics throughout our country.
My thoughts are with Catholic people in the UK and around the world today.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) December 31, 2022
“It is with immense grief that we receive the sad news of the passing of the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI. Kerala joins all the faithful around the world in mourning the passing of the Pope Emeritus,” wrote Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Twitter.
It is with immense grief that we receive the sad news of the passing of the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI. Kerala joins all the faithful around the world in mourning the passing of the Pope Emeritus. pic.twitter.com/W7wP6fVEFc
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) December 31, 2022
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