Former Pope Benedict XVI has died, aged 95, almost a decade after he stood down because of his ailing health. He led the Catholic Church for fewer than eight years until, in 2013, he also became the first Pope to resign since the Gregory XII in 1415.
Pope Benedict XVI was a Pope of the Catholic Church from 2005 to 2013. Here are 10 things to know about Pope Benedict:
Pope Benedict was born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger in Marktl am Inn, Bavaria, Germany, on April 16, 1927.
He was ordained as a priest in 1951 and served in various roles within the Catholic Church, including as a professor and bishop.
Pope Benedict was elected as a pope on April 19, 2005, following the death of the Pope John Paul II.
He was the first Pope to resign since Pope Gregory XII in 1415 and the first to do so of his own free will since Pope Celestine V in 1294.
Pope Benedict was known for his strong conservative stance on social and moral issues, such as abortion, contraception, and same-sex marriage.
He was also known for his emphasis on traditional Catholic teachings and for his efforts to reach out to other religions, including Judaism and Islam.
Pope Benedict was fluent in several languages, including German, Italian, French, and English.
He was an accomplished pianist and composer and wrote several books on theology and other subjects.
Pope Benedict faced controversy during his papacy, including allegations of sexual abuse within the Church and the leak of confidential documents by his butler.
Pope Benedict retired on February 28, 2013, and was succeeded by Pope Francis. He currently lives in a convent in the Vatican City and is referred to as Pope Emeritus.
Benedict spent his last 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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