Retired Pope Benedict XVI dies at 95

Pope Benedict XVI, the first pontiff to step down since the 15th century, died on Saturday in Rome at age 95, said Representative of the Vatican's press service, Report informs.

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger was elected on April 19, 2005, as the 265th Pope. He was the oldest person to be elected Pope since 1730 and had been a Cardinal for a longer period of time than any Pope since 1724.

On February 11, 2013, during the Ordinary Public Consistory for the Vote on several Causes for Canonization, Benedict announced his decision to resign from the Petrine ministry. His pontificate came to an end on February 28, 2013.

After his resignation took effect, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI lived within the Vatican in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery until his death.

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