German predecessor to Pope Francis became first pontiff to step down as head of Catholic church in 600 years
Pope Benedict XVI, who served as leader of the Catholic church from 2005 until his resignation in 2013, has died aged 95, the Vatican has announced.
Benedict’s death brings to a close an unprecedented period in recent history where two popes have co-existed, a situation that has caused tensions within rival camps in the Vatican. It paves the way for his successor, Pope Francis, to consider whether to follow Benedict by retiring at some point – impossible while the outcome would have been three popes.
The son of a policeman, he grew up in rural Bavaria and at the age of 14 joined the Hitler Youth, a requirement, and served in the German army in the second world war. Towards the end of the war he deserted, and was briefly held as a prisoner of war by American forces. As well as the flood of allegations, lawsuits and official reports relating to sexual abuse and the priests’ complicity in covering it up, the Vatican was also rocked by the theft of confidential documents, many of which later appeared in an exposé of alleged corruption. In October 2012, a Vatican court convicted the pope’s personal butler, Paolo Gabriele, of stealing the papers. He told the trial he had been acting against “evil and corruption”.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Former pope Benedict XVI dies aged 95, body to lie in state at St Peter's BasilicaFormer pope Benedict XVI, who headed the Roman Catholic church for almost eight years, has died aged 95.
Read more »
Former Pope Benedict XVI dies at the age of 95The Vatican says the body of former Pope Benedict will lie in state from Monday in St Peter's Basilica.
Read more »
Former Pope Benedict XVI dies aged 95Former Pope Benedict XVI has died aged 95. The German Cardinal was elected in April 2005 and resigned in 2013 due to old age, becoming the first pope in 600 years to step down from the role. After his resignation Pope Benedict remained in the Vatican Gardens at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery. It is expected Pope Francis will officiate over the former Pope’s funeral. The funeral will take place in St Peter's Basilica with the former Pope being buried in the grotto beneath the Basilica.
Read more »
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI dead at 95Former Pope Benedict, who in 2013 became the first pontiff in 600 years to step down, has died aged 95 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican where he had lived since his resignation. 7NEWS
Read more »
Pope Benedict, first to step down in 600 years, dies aged 95Former pope Benedict died on Saturday in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican, a spokesman for the Holy See said.
Read more »