Benedict XVI had shown health problems in recent days. On Wednesday, December 28, Pope Francis had requested “a special prayer” from the faithful who attended his general audience, in favor of his predecessor.
The emeritus pope Benedict XVI He died today at the age of 95 in the Vatican’s Mater Ecclesiae monastery, where he had resided since his historic resignation from the pontificate in 2013, the Holy See confirmed today in a statement.
“It is with regret that I announce that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away at 9:34 a.m. in the Vatican’s Mater Ecclesiae Monastery,” reads the official note from the Vatican, in six languages.
Concern for the state of health of the German pope and theologian arose on Wednesday, December 28, when his successor, Francis, acknowledged that he was “very ill” and asked for “a special prayer” from the faithful who attended his general audience.
Shortly after, the spokesman for the Holy See, Matteo Bruni, confirmed that Benedict XVI’s situation had been “aggravated by his advanced age.”
The emeritus pontiff’s personal secretary, Monsignor Georg Ganswein, had repeatedly stated in recent years that he was like “a candle that burns out slowly and serenely.”
A day later, the Holy See assured that Benedict XVI had “managed to rest well at night, was absolutely lucid and attentive” and remained “stable” despite gravity.
A situation that continued on December 30, when he presented “stable” conditions, although he was able to attend a mass celebrated in his room.
Benedict XVI, retired in a monastery since 2013
Benedict XVI had decided to spend these moments in his stay at the monastery where he has resided since his historic resignation from the papacy, announced on February 11, 2013 and consummated on the 28th of that same month, the first time in six centuries, since the time of Gregory. XII.
After learning of his situation, numerous faithful had gathered in different dioceses and temples around the world to pray for him, following the instructions of Francisco.
Since April 2, 2013, Ratzinger has lived surrounded by his Vatican “family”, made up of his secretary, a doctor, a nurse and four consecrated lay women from the “Memores Domini” institute, which belongs to the Communion and Liberation movement, which they distribute the housework and take care of the needs of the emeritus pope.
Sorry for church abuse
Benedict XVI promised to remain silent after his resignation as a sign of respect for his successor, although on some occasions he has reacted to some current issues that affected him in some way.
For example, in February 2022 he apologized for the abuses and errors that occurred during his tenures in the various positions he has held, after the disclosure of a report on sexual abuse of minors in Germany in which he was accused of being up to date on his time as Archbishop of Munich (1977-1982).
“Once again I can only express to all the victims of sexual abuse my deep shame, my great pain and my sincere request for forgiveness. I have had a great responsibility in the Catholic Church, ”she stressed in a statement.
He had rarely left the leonine walls, once to visit his inseparable brother, Georg, in the hospital and in June 2020 when he traveled to Regensburg to see him again a few weeks before he died at the age of 95.