Pope Benedict XVI Lifeless at 95

The Vatican is mourning the lack of considered one of its personal.

Pope Benedict XVI, who served as head of the Catholic Church from 2005 till his surprising resignation in 2013, died on the age of 95 on Dec. 31.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni mentioned in an announcement, “With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, handed away right now at 9:34 within the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery within the Vatican.”

On Jan. 2, the Pope Emeritus’s physique will lie in state within the Vatican’s Basilica of Saint Peter, to permit mourners provide their prayers and pay their respects, Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore RomanoPope reported. The present Pope Francis will preside over the funeral service, which will probably be held Jan. 5 in Saint Peter’s Sq., it acknowledged.

The retired pope’s passing comes days after The Holy See shared that Benedict was receiving fixed medical care, with Pope Francis asking for prayers and effectively needs.