Former Pope Benedict XVI dies at 95

The world has been cast into mourning as former Pope Benedict XVI has died at the ripe old age of 95.

He had stepped down as pope about 10 years ago due to his failing health acts which Pope Francis had taken the reigns of the Vatican City and the catholic faith.

He led the Catholic Church for fewer than eight years until, in 2013, he became the first Pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415.

Benedict spent his final years at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery within the walls of the Vatican where he passed away at 09:34 (08:34 GMT) on Saturday.

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His funeral is set for 5th of January which will be led by Pope Francis himself.

The Vatican revealed that the body of the Pope Emeritus will be placed in St Peter’s Basilica from 2 January for “the greeting of the faithful”.

Bells rang out from Munich cathedral and a single bell was heard ringing from St Peter’s Square in Rome after the former pope’s death was announced.

Recall Pope Francis had said recently that the late Pope was very ill with many sending in prayers for the former religious leader.