Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni said in a statement from the Vatican: “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.”
Pope Benedict XVI was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from April 2005 until his resignation on February 2013.
On Saturday, shortly after Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s death, the Pope Francis went to the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery to pray over his body, which now rests in the Monastery chapel. His body was transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on New Year’s morning allowing for veneration by the faithful.
Pope Francis remembered “dear Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI who left us this morning,” recalling him as such a noble and kind man of faith, while expressing gratitude to God for his gift to the Church.
President Biden said, “Jill and I join Catholics around the world, and so many others, in mourning the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. I had the privilege of spending time with Pope Benedict at the Vatican in 2011 and will always remember his generosity and welcome as well as our meaningful conversation. He will be remembered as a renowned theologian, with a lifetime of devotion to the Church, guided by his principles and faith. As he remarked during his 2008 visit to the White House, “the need for global solidarity is as urgent as ever, if all people are to live in a way worthy of their dignity.” May his focus on the ministry of charity continue to be an inspiration to us all.”
