“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."
This is the sad news from Pope Francis greeting the world this morning 31/12/2022

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI served as head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 19 April 2005 until his resignation on 28 February 2013. Benedict's election as pope occurred in the 2005 papal conclave that followed the death of Pope John Paul II.

He was the first Pope to resign in 600 years due to ill health

He was born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger in Germany in April 1927 

Pope Emeritus Benedict's body will lie in state in St Peter's Basilica from Monday January 2nd so that the faithful can bid farewell

Pope Francis will preside over Benedict's funeral Mass in St Peter's Square on Thursday - an unprecedented event in which a current pope will celebrate the life of his predecessor.

May his gentle soul Rest in Peace