Former Pope Benedict has died at the age of 95.
The Vatican says he passed away this morning in a monastery.
In a statement online they said: "“With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican.
"Further information will be provided as soon as possible.”
In 2013, Benedict became the first pontiff for 600 years to resign.
“With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican.
Further information will be provided as soon as possible.” pic.twitter.com/O5dxoPaVkT— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) December 31, 2022
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 years and and was succeeded 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.
President Michael D Higgins has released a statement following the news of his passing.
“It is with sadness that Catholics around the world will have learned of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
"At this time of the return of war on our continent and in so many areas of the world, he will be remembered for his untiring efforts to find a common path in promoting peace and goodwill throughout the world, including a steadfast interest in peace in Northern Ireland.
"He will be remembered too for the value he attached to intellectual work and for the personal commitment he gave to such within the Roman Catholic Church, this work being respected by both supporters and critics.
"Of particular importance was that during his tenure, Pope Benedict sought to highlight both the common purpose of the world’s major religions and his injunctions as to how our individual responsibilities as citizens require the highest standards of ethics in our actions.
"May I extend my condolences to his family, to Pope Francis, to Archbishop Eamon Martin, to his friends and colleagues, and to all members of the Catholic faith both in Ireland and across the world.”
