Pope Benedict XVI's death announced on RTÉ News (31st December 2022)

Описание: RTÉ News announces the death of Pope Benedict XVI, who served as the head of the Roman Catholic Church from 2005 until his resignation in 2013.

Joseph Ratzinger was born on 16th April 1927 in Martkl, a small village in the German state of Bavaria, close to the border with Austria. Ordained a priest in his home country in 1951, he was created a cardinal in 1977 by Pope Paul VI. Cardinal Ratzinger was elected Pope Benedict XVI on 19th April 2005, seventeen days after the death of John Paul II. At 78 years and three days old, Benedict XVI became the second-oldest elected pontiff in history after Clement XII. During his eight-year reign as pontiff, Benedict made state visits to over a dozen countries around the world, including a memorable state visit to the United Kingdom in September 2010.

On 28th February 2013, at the age of 85, Benedict XVI became the first Pope in almost 600 years to resign, citing his advanced age and health issues as a factor. He was succeeded by 76-year-old Argentinan-born Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who was officially elected Pope Francis thirteen days later. Pope Francis would remain pontiff until his death at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, 21st April 2025.

Following his retirement, Benedict XVI only made occasional public appearances. On 4th September 2020, Benedict XVI became the longest-lived person to have held the office of pope, at 93 years, 4 months and 16 days, surpassing Leo XIII. Benedict XVI died peacefully at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in Vatican City on New Year's Eve 2022, aged 95. His funeral took place in St. Peter's Square on 5th January 2023, and was presided over by Pope Francis. Following the service, Benedict XVI was interred in the Vatican Grottoes beneath St. Peter's Basilica.

R.I.P. Pope Benedict XVI (1927-2022)