Benedict stunned the Catholic faithful and religious experts in 2013 when he stepped down from his position as Pope, citing his 'advanced age.'
Benedict XVI, the Pope Emeritus, has died in Vatican City at the age of 95 following a period of ill health.
News of his death came days after Pope Francis asked the faithful to pray for Benedict, saying he was"very sick." At the end of the general audience, Pope Francis went to the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in Vatican City to visit Benedict, the Vatican said. There had"been a deterioration due to the advancement of his age" over the previous few hours, a Vatican spokesman said on Wednesday, adding that doctors were monitoring the situation.
In typical fashion, Benedict announced his unexpected resignation in Latin. He was 85 at the time and cited his advanced age as ill-suited for the demands of running the Catholic Church.