Former Catholic Pope Benedict XVI has died at the 95, years after stepping down from the papal seat due to failing health.
He served as Pope for less than eight years before stepping down in 2013, becoming the first Pope to do so since Gregory XII in 1415.
Benedict spent his final years at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery, within the Vatican.
Pope Francis, his successor, claimed to have made regular trips there.
Although, Pope Benedict XVI had been ill for some time, the Holy See attributed his worsened health to advanced age.
In his final audience of the year on Wednesday, Pope Francis urged everyone present to offer a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict, whom he said was very ill.
Born Joseph Ratzinger in Germany, Benedict became one of the oldest popes ever elected in 2005 at the age of 78.
