Former Pope Benedict XVI has been confirmed dead at the age of 95.
The demise of Pope Benedict, who became the first pontiff to resign in some 600 years, was disclosed via a statement issued on Saturday by Vatican spokesperson, Matteo Bruni.
“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,” Bruni stated.
Pope Francis, who replaced him as head of the Catholic Church, had asked the faithful to pray for him at the end of his general audience on Wednesday morning.
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