Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has died at his Vatican residence. He was 95.

The Holy See announced the news in ashort statementSaturday morning.

“With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI,passed away todayat 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican,” wrote Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office. “Further information will be provided as soon as possible.”

The Vatican added that Benedict’s remains will lie in St Peter’s Basilica, Rome from January 2 to allow “the greeting of the faithful.”

Pope Benedict XVI.Franco Origlia/Getty

Pope Benedict XVI attends his final general audience in St. Peter’s Square on February 27, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican

Pope Francis first revealed that his predecessor was unwell at the Vatican on Wednesday, Dec. 28, when he said that Benedict was"very sick,“and asked his audience for “a special prayer” in his honor.

The Vatican later confirmed that Benedict’s health had"worsened due to age,“NBC News reported.

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Pope Benedict XVI leads the Ash Wednesday service at the St. Peter’s Basilica on February 13, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican.

Benedict served as head of the Catholic Church in Vatican City for nearly eight years, beginning in 2005 following the April death ofPope John Paul II.

The former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who was born in Germany, was 78 years old when he accepted the position, making himone of the oldestindividuals to be named Pope.

Pope Benedict XVI.Marco Secchi/Getty

Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd gathered in St Mark’s Square while crossing the square on an electric car on May 7, 2011 in Venice, Italy.

In 2013, Benedict made headlines when he unexpectedly stepped down from his role, becoming the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years.

Benedict cited his “advanced age” in the announcement, noting that “both strength of mind and body are necessary” to lead the Church.

“I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering,” he said at the time, per the BBC.

Benedict held his final mass as Pope in February 2013 at age 85. Speaking in front of more than 55,000 people at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City, he thanked supporters for understanding his decision.

“To love the church also means having the courage to take difficult decisions,” he said at the time.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI with Pope Francis.Maurix/Gamma-Rapho via Getty

Pope Francis met former Pope Benedict XVI to exchange Christmas greetings, in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery, Benedict XVI’s new residence on December 23, 2013 in Vatican City.

However, child sexual abuse scandals loomed large over Benedict’s papacy. In 2009, two separate reports described the level of abuse within the Irish Church, according to the BBC. Benedict defrocked nearly 400 priests a few years later.

This January, a church-commissioned report determined that Benedictfailed to disciplinepriests in at least four cases of sexual abuse during his tenure as the archbishop of Munich, Germany.

At least 497 victims, mainly young males, were found to have been abused between from 1977 to 1982 — with more believed to have not been reported.

Benedict was accused of mismanaging the abuse cases and, in at least some instances, not properly punishing the clerics involved. The ex-Popedenied any wrongdoingin the report, according to NBC News.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

source: people.com