Tributes have poured in from around the world for former Pope Benedict XVI, who has died at the age of 95 – ending an extraordinary period during which two popes lived in the Vatican. The Pope Emeritus led the Catholic Church from 2005 until his resignation in 2013, becoming the first pontiff to do so since Gregory XII in 1415.
A statement from Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said: “With pain I inform that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died today at 9.34 in the Mater Ecclesia Monastery in the Vatican.” Benedict’s successor, Pope Francis, will lead the funeral on 5 January, while the body of the Pope Emeritus will be placed in St Peter’s Basilica from Monday for “the greeting of the faithful”.
