The Vatican mourns the loss of one of its own.
Pope Benedict XVIwho served as head of the Catholic Church from 2005 until his shocking resignation in 2013, died at the age of 95 on December 31.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni he said wa statement, “I regret to tell you that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away today at 9:34 am at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican.”
On January 2, the body of the retired pope will probably be displayed in the Basilica of St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican for mourners to wish and pay their respects, Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano Pope reported. Current Pope Francis will preside over the funeral service on January 5 at St. Peter, reported.
The retirement of the retired pope comes days after the Holy See reported that Benedict was receiving ongoing medical care Pope Francis asking for prayers and desires.