Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has died at 95 after a period of bad health.
Benedict died on Saturday, the Vatican said. He was the first pontiff in 600 years to resign rather than hold office for life.
Days before, Pope Francis requested the faithful to pray for Benedict, claiming he was “extremely unwell.”
“I ask for a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict, who supports the Church in his quiet. Is ill. We pray that the Lord will soothe and support him in his witness of love for the Church “Francis remarked on Wednesday.
At the close of the general audience, Pope Francis visited Benedict at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in Vatican City. Over the years, “his age has caused a degradation.”
