Vatican City: Former pope Benedict XVI (95) passes away on Saturday at 9.34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. According to the Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni’s statement he became the first pontiff to resign as head of the Catholic Church.

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. The German pope emeritus, whose birth name was Joseph Ratzinger, had been living a quiet life in a former convent inside the Vatican grounds since his shocking decision to step down in February 2013.

His health had been declining for a long time, but the Vatican revealed on Wednesday that his situation had worsened, while his successor Pope Francis called for Catholics worldwide to pray for him. While there is no rulebook for former popes, Benedict’s funeral is expected to be at the Vatican, presided over by Francis.

Joseph Alois Ratzinger born on April 16^th, 1927 in Marktl am Inn, Germany. He is the youngest of three children to Joseph and Maria Ratzinger. He was an Assistant in Germany’s anti-aircraft defense and infantry soldier in 1943-1945. He was imprisoned in 1945 in American POW camp in Neu-Ulm. He along with brother Georg Ratzinger Ordained in June 29^th, 1951 at Freising.

He served as Professor in 1969-1977 at University of Regensburg. He was named archbishop of Munich in March 25^th, 1977. He was made a cardinal by Pope Paul VI in June 27^th, 1977.