Former pope Benedict XVI has died at the age of 95, the Vatican announced on Saturday.
Benedict was pope from April 2005 until his surprise resignation in February 2013.
On Wednesday, Pope Francis said Benedict was “very sick” and asked Catholic Church members to pray for 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,” a spokesperson said.
“Further information will be provided as soon as possible.”
The health of the Pope Emeritus, as Benedict was called after he stepped down, had undergone a “worsening in the last hours” due to his age, the Vatican said, and doctors were constantly monitoring his condition.
Francis had gone to visit Benedict at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in Vatican City after the audience.
