BREAKING NEWS! Former Pope Benedict is dead — Vatican

THE Vatican has announced that retired Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died today.

The Holy See Press Office said the 95-year old Pope emeritus passed away at 9:34 am today (4:34 pm Philippine time) in Vatican City.

“With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 AM in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican,” Vatican press office director Matteo Bruni said.

Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, the monastery for nuns in the Vatican City, became the residence of Pope Benedict since he retired almost 10 years ago.

The Vatican plans to place the body of Pope Emeritus for public viewing at Saint Peter’s Basilica on January 2, 2023.

More details will be provided as soon as possible.

Fr. Joseph Ratzinger

He was born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger in a small village in Bavaria called Marktl am Inn in Germany on April 16, 1927.

He was ordained a priest on June 29, 1951. He completed his doctoral studies in theology and later became a professor at the University of Regensburg in Bavaria.

He became a well-known theologian, a cardinal, and was the prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He was elected as pope to replace the late St. John Paul II in 2005.

He was also known as the first pope who resigned from office in 600 years.

At the age of 85, Pope Benedict XVI announced his retirement on the 11th of February 2013. He cited his age and health as his reasons behind his action.

Last Wednesday, Pope Francis called the faithful to pray for his predecessor who was at time was already “very ill.” Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula, San Jose Nueva Ecija Bishop Roberto Mallari and Kidapawan Bishop Jose Collin Bagaforo were among those who publicly echoed Pope Francis’ call for prayers for the Pope emeritus.

photo: courtesy Vatican News Twitter