Former Pope Benedict XVI has died at his Vatican residence, aged 95, almost a decade after he stood down because of ailing health.

His death on Saturday came days after Pope Francis had asked for prayers for his predecessor, saying he was �very sick�.

The Vatican said in a statement, "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."

He led the Catholic Church for less than eight years until, in 2013, he became the first Pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415, BBC reported.

 

 

By MEHR