Former Pope Benedict XVI dies aged 95 nine years after stepping down as Catholic Church leader

The ex-head of the Catholic Church – and the first pope to retire in six centuries – has died, the Vatican has confirmed.

The Archbishop of Sydney has remembered former Pope Benedict XVI as a “man of towering intellect and deep piety” who had a strong connection to Australia.

Benedict died at the age of 95 on Saturday morning, confirmed the Vatican.

The ex-head of the Catholic Church resigned as pontiff in February 2013 – the first pope to retire in 600 years.

“With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9.34am in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican,” a statement form the Holy See said.

Former Pope Benedict XVI has died. Picture: Greg Wood

It comes just days after Pope Francis said his predecessor was “very sick” as he called for prayers during his final audience of the year at the Vatican.

Born Joseph Ratzinger, Benedict served as the head of the Church and the sovereign of the Vatican City State from 2005 until his resignation in 2013.

After that, he lived in the Vatican.

Benedict became increasingly frail in recent years as he dedicated his post-papacy life to prayer and meditation.

Benedict resigned as pontiff in 2013

‘One of the greatest popes’

Back in 2013, he cited his declining physical and mental health in his decision to become the first pope since 1415 to give up the job as head of the Catholic Church.

In his resignation letter, he said: “After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.”

Commenting on Saturday, the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, praised Benedict XVI as “one of the greatest theologian-popes in the Church’s two-thousand-year history”.

“A man of towering intellect and deep piety, he was influential as a peritus (expert

Adviser) at the Second Vatican Council and in the subsequent interpretation and

implementation of the Council.”

Reverand Fisher said Benedict was elected Pope at an age when most would expect to retire.

“Whilst saddened by his death, we can all be grateful for the blessing of his long life and the lasting contribution he made to our faith.”

Benedict the first pope to retire in 600 years. Picture: Vincenzo Pinto

Pope’s Australia visit

He added that he had “happy memories” of the late Pope particularly due to his Australia visit.

“Pope Benedict’s connection to Australia was strengthened in 2010, when he

canonised St Mary of the Cross Mackillop as Australia’s first recognised saint.

“In his homily he spoke of the importance of prayerful teachers in leading people to

salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Like Mary Mackillop, Benedict XVI led many

people to Christ by his teaching and example.”

Rev Fisher said his one of the “finest minds” to fulfil the role of Pope.

Parts of this article originally appeared in the The Sun and was reproduced with permission