The former head of the Holy Catholic Church Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI is dead.

Pope Benedict died on Saturday at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican.

The news about the former Pope’s passing was announced by the Vatican on Saturday.

"With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican,” the Vatican announced.

"Further information will be provided as soon as possible."

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Pope Benedict served as the head of the Holy Catholic Church and the sovereign of the Vatican City States from April 19, 2005, until he resigned on February 28, 2013, citing a loss of stamina and his “advanced age”.

Born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger on April 16, 1927, Pope Benedict became the first Pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415.

He was succeeded by former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Airesi, Pope Francis.