Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, whose resignation in 2013 took the whole world by surprise, died on Saturday at the age of 95 in the monastery in the Vatican gardens where he had retired.

“I have the pain to announce to you that the pope emeritus, Benedict XVI, died today at 9:34 a.m., at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery, in the Vatican”, announced in a press release the director of the press service of the Holy See, Matteo Bruni.

His body will be on display from Monday morning in the solemn setting of Saint Peter's Basilica to allow the faithful to greet him.



Since the announcement of the death of Benedict XVI, the reactions have been numerous.

The world is losing a "significant figure" of the Catholic Church, said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

"As a 'German' pope, Benedict XVI was for many, and not just in this country, a special church leader," said Olaf Scholz, also calling him a "combative personality" and a "theologian clever ".

French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to Benedict XVI by saluting the efforts of the former pope, who died on Saturday, in favor of a "more fraternal world".

“My thoughts go out to Catholics in France and around the world, bereaved by the departure of His Holiness Benedict XVI, who worked with soul and intelligence for a more fraternal world,” tweeted the Head of State.


My thoughts go out to Catholics in France and around the world, bereaved by the departure of His Holiness Benedict XVI, who worked with soul and intelligence for a more fraternal world.

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 31, 2022

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“A giant of Faith and Reason”

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was "saddened" by the death of the "great theologian" Benedict XVI.

“I am saddened to learn of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

He was a great theologian whose visit to the UK in 2010 was a historic moment for Catholics and non-Catholics in our country,” he tweeted, while the Anglican Church said it was praying in memory of the former pope.

Former Pope Benedict XVI was "a giant of Faith and Reason, as well as a great historical figure that history will not forget", reacted Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

“I expressed to the Holy Father Francis my participation and that of the government in his pain and that of the entire ecclesial community,” she added in a press release.

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