Dignitaries and religious leaders have paid tribute to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who died Saturday at the age of 95 in a Vatican monastery.
Benedict, who was the first pontiff in nearly 600 years to resign rather than hold office for life, died on Saturday, according to a Vatican statement.
“With sadness, I inform you that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI died today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican,” said Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See’s Press Office.
Bruni announced that Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s funeral will take place on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. local time in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. Pope Francis will preside over the funeral.
According to Vatican News, the former pope’s body will lie in state in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican beginning Monday for the faithful to bid farewell. Bruni stated that his funeral will be “simple,” as requested by Pope Emeritus.