Former Pope Benedict XVI, the first pontiff to voluntarily step down in about 600 years, died Saturday at a Vatican monastery, a spokesperson for the Holy See said. He was 95.
Benedict shocked the world in February 2013 when he announced at age 85 that he no longer had the strength to carry out his duties due to his advanced age. Pontiffs are normally expected to serve until death.
His papacy was plagued by scandals including a series of revelations on sexual abuse of minors by members of the clergy worldwide. His butler has also been charged with theft over having leaked Vatican documents.
Benedict, born as Joseph Ratzinger in the state of Bavaria in Germany in 1927, took office in April 2005 as the 265th pope to lead the Roman Catholic Church, which has more than 1.3 billion members, after his predecessor Pope John Paul II died.
He was known for his conservative views on certain issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage.
Nearly eight years into his papacy, he suddenly announced he would step down. In a statement, he said, "After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry."
He resigned on Feb. 28, 2013. His successor, Pope Francis, was subsequently chosen through an electoral process known as the conclave.
Since stepping down, Benedict had been living in the Vatican monastery where he died. According to German media, the former pope had fallen ill after visiting his home country to see his sick older brother in June 2020.
