Pope Benedict XVI dies - former head of the Catholic church passes away aged 95, Vatican confirms

Pope Benedict XVI, who became the 265th pontiff following the death of Pope John Paul II, has died at the age of 95, Vatican officials have confirmed. Concerns over the health of the former head of the Catholic church had been circulating throughout the week, despite officials claiming as recently as Friday he was in a “stable condition”.

Taking to social media, the Holy See Press Office, the official press office of the Vatican, wrote “Declaration of the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni. 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. Further information will be provided as soon as possible.”