Pope Benedict XVI has died at the age of 95.
The Vatican announced today (December 31) that the former pontiff had died after a battle with illness. Vatican spokesman 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. Further information will be released as soon as possible.”
Pope Francis announced on Wednesday his predecessor was "very sick" and urged people to pray for him. Francis succeeded Benedict in 2013 after he became the first pope to quit in 600 years saying his old age had limited his abilities to carry out his duties.
