Former pope Benedict the 16th, who became the first pontiff to resign in some 600 years, has died aged 95.
His health had recently declined and Pope Francis, who replaced him as head of the Catholic Church, had asked the faithful to pray for him last Wednesday.
Originally named Joseph Ratzinger from Germany - he was elected to the papacy in 2005 following the death of John Paul the Second.
He was the oldest person to take on the role in almost 300 years.
He was a very conservative pontiff, while his tenure was marred with child sex abuse scandals within the church.
In 2010, he apologised for child sex abuse in Ireland - saying he was "truly sorry" for the suffering of victims and survivors.
While in the past year, a German investigation said he'd failed to act on four priests accused of abuse while he was archbishop of Munich.
For many he was regarded as a scholar, in 2013, he shocked the world with his resignation.
He was the first pope to resign in 600 yrs - and was succeed by Francis.
He continued to live in the Vatican following his resignation.
The Vatican says his body will be placed in St Peter's Basilica on Monday.
The 95-year-old Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away on Saturday at 9:34 AM in his residence at the Vatican's Mater Ecclesiae Monastery.https://t.co/KU33x2ZI70
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) December 31, 2022
President Michael D. Higgins has expressed his sadness on the death of former Pope Benedict.
He says he will be remembered for his efforts to promote peace throughout the world, including a steadfast interest in peace in Northern Ireland.
The President says he extends his condolences to his family, to Pope Francis, to Archbishop Eamon Martin, and to all members of the Catholic faith both in Ireland and across the world.
