Former Pope Benedict XVI died at the age of 95 at his Vatican residence, nearly a decade after stepping down due to ill-health.
He led the Catholic Church with less than eight years before becoming the first Pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415 in 2013.
Pope spent his final years in the Vatican at the Particularly matter Ecclesiae monastery.
Pope Francis, his successor, stated that he frequently visited him there.
“I regret to inform you that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died today at 9:34 a.m. in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican,” said Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni in a statement.
Benedict, the first German priest in 1,000 years, would have good relations with his successor, Pope Francis, but his continued presence inside the Vatican after stepping down in 2013 polarized the Church ideologically even more.
Concerned about Francis’ liberal moves, republicans looked to Benedict as the defender of tradition. So many times, he had to tell sentimental visitors, ‘There is only one Pope, and his name is Francis.’
In 2022, an official review in his native Germany, claimed Benedict failed to act in four abuse cases while serving as Archbishop of Germany from 1977 to 1982.
After being shaken by the report, he apologized in an emotional personal letter and asked for mercy. In a detailed counter point, his lawyers argued that he was not directly liable.
Victims’ groups claimed that the evasive response wasted an opportunity arising from an incident that shook the Church worldwide.
Benedict will be remembered for shocking the world on February 11, 2013. When he announced his resignation in Latin. Telling cardinals that he was too old and frail to lead an institution with more than 1.3 billion members.
It had always been going to be difficult following the death of his charismatic forebears, Pope John Paul II, in 2005. However, Benedict acknowledged his struggles in a sentimental goodbye.
There were happy and light moments, but there were also difficult ones. There were times when the seas were painful and the wind is blowing against us. And it appeared as if the Lord was sleeping Benedict told his last general audience, which drew over 150,000 people.
On February 28, 2013, Benedict took up residence at the papal summer home at Castelgandolfo, south of Italy. While cardinals from around the world assembled in the Vatican to elect his successor.
“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
ALSO READ: Bus driver and conductor saved the life of Indian cricketer
