Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, has died Saturday in a monastery in the Vatican at the age of 95.
According to a statement from the Vatican Benedict, who was the first pontiff in almost 600 years to resign his position, rather than hold office for life, passed away on Saturday.
The death of the Pope has attracted dignitaries and religious leaders who have been paying tribute to him.
“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,” the Director of the Press Office of the Holy See, Matteo Bruni said.
Bruni also revealed that the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI which will be led by Pope Francis will be held on Thursday in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican City at 9:30 a.m. local time.
In a report from Vatican News, the former pope’s body will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, from Monday for the faithful to bid farewell.
