In the morning hours of Dec. 31, the Vatican confirmed the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the age of 95, after his health condition worsened in recent days "due to advancing age," the Holy See said in an official note published in six languages:
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.
The 95-year-old Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away on Saturday at 9:34 AM in his residence at the Vatican's Mater Ecclesiae Monastery.https://t.co/KU33x2ZI70
- Vatican News (@VaticanNews) December 31, 2022
The funeral chapel of Benedict XVI will be installed Monday, Jan. 2 in St. Peter's Basilica "for the farewell of the faithful," the Vatican has announced.
Joseph Ratzinger spent his last moments in life at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican gardens, where he lived accompanied by his personal secretary, the German Georg Gänswein, and four nuns of the 'Memores Domini' institute, since he resigned from the pontificate in 2013.
Pope Francis asked for "a special prayer"
In the last few days, there was rising concern about the ex-pope's health. Pope Francis asked the faithful to pray for his predecessor, who was receiving constant medical care after his condition had severely worsened, including difficulty speaking, difficulty moving easily and severe respiratory problems.
#PrayTogether for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who in silence continues to pray for the Church. Let us ask the Lord to comfort and sustain him in this witness of love for the Church, until the end.
- Pope Francis (@Pontifex_en) December 28, 2022
In 2013, Benedict XVI became the first pope to resign in 600 years. One of the last images of the Pope was taken on Dec. 1, when he met with several theologians and appeared to be in a delicate state.
Benedict XVI with Father Michel Fédou and Joseph Weiler (Ratzinger Prize 2022), Msgr. Georg Gänswein, Father Federico Lombardi and Pierluca Azzaro (yesterday, Thursday, December 1, 2022)
Photos from the Joseph Ratzinger Vatican Foundation - Benedict XVI 👇 https://t.co/VKhuFeUAVD pic.twitter.com/06Hp3ZJ7k9
- Maronitas ن (@maronitas_es) December 3, 2022
