Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement: “With sorrow, I inform you that 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,” as reported by Polish state news agency PAP.
On Wednesday, Pope Francis had announced during his weekly audience that Benedict XVI was “very ill.”
On Thursday, the Vatican said Benedict XVI’s condition remained “serious," but "stable."
The Pope Emeritus’ death brings to an end an unprecedented period in recent history where two popes have co-existed, Britain’s The Guardian newspaper reported on its website.
The Holy See Press Office said later on Saturday that Pope Francis "will preside over the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on January 5, 2023, at 9:30 CET in St. Peter's Square."
Benedict XVI’s pontificate
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, from Germany, succeeded Pope John Paul II as the head of the Roman Catholic Church nearly eighteen years ago.
He was named the 265th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church on April 19, 2005, at the age of 78, and chose the name of Benedict XVI, ABC News noted.
Eight years later, on February 11, 2013, Benedict XVI announced his retirement. Next month, he was succeeded by the current pontiff, Pope Francis, from Argentina.
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Source: PAP, ABC News, The Guardian, vaticannews.va