– I can sadly inform you that the former Pope Benedict XVI died today at 9:34 am in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery in the Vatican, a Vatican spokesperson said in a statement.

In 2013, Benedict became the first pope in about 600 years to abdicate. He was succeeded by Pope Francis. Benedict has since been living in the Vatican and is in very poor health.

Buried in the Vatican

The Vatican stated that Benedict will lie on a parade bed in St. Peter’s Basilica until his funeral next Thursday. Then the funeral service will be held in St. Peter’s Square, which was officiated by Pope Francis. Benedict was later buried in a crypt beneath St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Vatican also stated that only official delegations from Germany and Italy would be invited to the funeral. This is explained by the fact that Benedict is no longer pope and that he has expressed his desire to have a simple funeral.

Benedikt was born Joseph Ratzinger and was a German cardinal before becoming Pope. In Germany, death is marked on Saturday.

– The world mourns our Pope, he wrote Picture while the broadcaster ARD the headline of his obituary “We are the Pope”.

Dear

Benedict was revered as the great theologian after the news became known.

– As a German Pope, Benedict XVI is a special church leader for many people, not only in this country. The world has lost a formative figure in the Catholic Church, an argumentative person and a wise theologian, said German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz.

French President Emmanuel Macron said Benedict was fighting for a more fraternal world.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said it was sad news and also highlighted Benedict as a great theologian.

The Pope prays for his predecessor

In the past week, his health condition has worsened. On Wednesday, Pope Francis said Benedict was seriously ill and asked all Catholics around the world to pray for him.

The Vatican was unclear about Benedict’s health issues. They point to the old age of the former pope.

Norwegian Catholics pay tribute to Benedict.

– The Pope’s main task was to strengthen his brothers and sisters in the faith, and he did just that, said Dominican sister Anne Bente Hadland at Catherine’s house Our country.

– Soaring

He said Benedict was a great and important pope and a leading theologian.

– There is a long distance between the great theologians in the papal chair, so we probably won’t be getting a man of his caliber again anytime soon, he said.

Oslo Bishop Bernt Eidsvig said the Norwegian congregation would give a sermon on the importance of Benedict to mark his death.

– For many, he is a very safe and solid theologian. Even though he abdicated almost ten years ago, there is a sense of security associated with his presence, said Eidsvig.