Pope emeritus Benedict XVI has died at the age of 95.
The Vatican has confirmed the news that the German native died this morning at 9.34am. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign when he did so in 2013 and was replaced by Pope Francis.
A statement from Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said: "With pain I inform that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesia Monastery in the Vatican. Further information will be released as soon as possible."
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Last night, Bruni said the former Pontiff was well enough to take mass in his room, just hours before he passed away. He was said to have been in a stable condition.
"Last night the Pope Emeritus was able to rest well," Bruni said in a statement. "He also participated in the celebration of Holy Mass in his room yesterday afternoon. At present his condition is stationary."
It came after his successor Pope Francis announced that Benedict was "very sick", calling on his audience to pray for him on Wednesday. Pope Francis surprised followers with the appeal as he finished his general audience at the Vatican, providing no further details.
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