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Former Pope Benedict XVI has died at his Vatican residence, aged 95, almost a decade after he stood down because of ailing health.<\/p>\n
He led the Catholic Church for less than eight years until, in 2013, he became the first Pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415.<\/p>\n
Benedict spent his final years at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery within the walls of the Vatican.<\/p>\n
His successor Pope Francis said he had visited him there frequently.<\/p>\n
The Vatican said in a statement: “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.<\/p>\n
“Further information will be provided as soon as possible.”<\/p>\n
The Vatican said the body of the Pope Emeritus will be placed in St Peter’s Basilica from 2 January for “the greeting of the faithful”.<\/p>\n
Pope Francis will lead the funeral on 5 January in St Peter’s Square in Rome, a spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
Bells rang out from Munich cathedral and a single bell was heard ringing from St Peter’s Square in Rome after the former death was announced.<\/p>\n
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