From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja
Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away this morning at 9:34am.
The Holy See Press Office announced that the Pope Emeritus passed away at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. He was aged 95.
The Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, according to the Vatican, was chosen by Benedict XVI as his residence after resigning from the Petrine ministry in 2013.
“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.
“Further information will be provided as soon as possible.
“As of Monday morning, 2 January, 2023, the body of the Pope Emeritus will be in Saint Peter’s Basilica so the faithful can bid farewell,” the Holy See Press Office said.
Vatican News reported that for several days, the health conditions of the pope emeritus worsened due to advancing age.
“Pope Francis himself publicly shared the news about his predecessor’s worsening health at the end of the last General Audience of the year, on 28 December,” the Vatican News wrote.