Former Pope Benedict XVI passes away.

Today, Former Pope Benedict XVI died at his residence in the Vatican. He was 95, according to an official announcement.

In a statement, The Vatican said: "With sorrow, I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9.34 a.m. in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. "Further information will be provided as soon as possible."

Benedict led the Catholic Church from April 2005 to February 2013. The BBC reported that he stood down due to his ailing health, becoming the first Pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415.

Benedict spent his final years at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery within the walls of the Vatican. His successor Pope Francis said he had visited him there frequently.

On Wednesday, Pope Francis appealed to his final audience of the year at the Vatican to "pray a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict," whom he said was very ill.

However, the former pontiff had been ill for some time, the Holy See said there had been no improvement in his condition because of advancing age. In 2005, Benedict Ratzinger became one of the oldest popes in history at the age of 78.