Obituary
Benedict XVI, Pope Whose Resignation Shook Catholics, Dies
- He was criticized for inaction regarding pedophile priests
- Saw his role as resisting changes sweeping modern societies
Pope Benedict XVI.
Photographer: Pierre-Philippe Marcou/AFP/Getty Images
Benedict XVI, who shocked the world’s 1.2 billion followers of the Roman Catholic Church when he became the first pope to resign in almost six centuries, has died. He was 95.
Benedict XVI passed away at 9:34 a.m. on Saturday at his residence in the Vatican. The public will be able to pay respects to Benedict from Jan. 2 when his body will be on view in Saint Peter’s Basilica, and Pope Francis will lead the funeral service on Jan. 5, Matteo Bruni, the head of the Vatican press office, said at a media briefing.