The Vatican has announced the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
He was 95 years old.
On Twitter, the Holy See wrote that he died this morning at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican.
Two days ago Pope Francis has said former Pope Benedict XVI is very ill and he has asked pilgrims at the Vatican to pray for him.
Benedict became the first leader of the Catholic Church to stand down in 600 years in 2013, citing advanced age.
At the end of the Pope’s final audience of the year, he asked people to “pray a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict”.
The Vatican then said the ex-Pope’s health had worsened in recent hours.
“The situation at the moment remains under control, constantly followed by doctors,” said spokesman Matteo Bruni.
Earlier this month Francis revealed he frequently visited his predecessor.
Speaking of Benedict as a “saint” and a man of high spiritual life, he said the former pope was lucid and had a good sense of humour.
