Pope Benedict Dies At Age 95

The Vatican on Saturday revealed that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has died at the age of 95.

Naija News gathered that Pope Benedict had recently been very sick.

The death of the former Pope is coming almost a decade after he stood down because of ailing health.

Former Pope Benedict led the Catholic Church for less than eight years, and in 2013 he became the first Pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415.

Benedict spent his final years at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery within the walls of the Vatican.

The current Pope, Francis noted that he visited Benedict at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery frequently.

The Vatican in a statement released on Saturday wrote, “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.”

Although former Pope Benedict had been ill for some time, the Holy See said there had been an aggravation in his condition because of advancing age.

Pope Francis on Wednesday appealed to his final audience of the year at the Vatican to pray a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict whom he said was very ill.

Benedict who was born in Joseph Ratzinger in Germany was 78 when in 2005 he became one of the oldest popes ever elected.