Breaking news: Pope Benedict XVI, who assumed the spiritual leadership of the Catholic world between 2005 and 2013, passed away. The Vatican announced the death of former Pope Benedict XVI. Para 16. Benedict, who left his post 10 years ago, had been struggling with health problems for a long time. On the other hand, Pope Benedict XVI was the first Pope to resign in centuries. Before Pope Benedict XVI, Gregory left office in 1415. Here are all the details of the last minute development…
BENEDICTUS WAS CRITICISM FOR FAILED ON CLAIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
In the statement made by the Vatican, it was reported that “Emerit Pope Benedict XVI died today at 09:34 local time in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican”.
The 95-year-old former leader, whose real name is Joseph Ratzinger and who was named “Pope Benedict XVI” after he was elected as the spiritual leader of the Catholics, has been in seclusion in the Vatican since 2013 when he left his office.
Benedict was elected as the 265th Pope of the Catholic Church in the Pontifical Election (Conclave) on 19 April 2005, replacing Pope John II Paulus (2nd Jean Paul) who died in 2005.
Ratzinger’s papacy is remembered for his harsh words against Islam in September 2006, the abuses within the Catholic Church, the leaks of documents known as the “Vatileaks Mole Scandal”, and the scandals at the “IOR” known as the Vatican Bank.
Emerit Pope Benedict 16, who was criticized for not taking enough steps in the face of sexual abuse cases in the Catholic Church during his papacy, lastly, in the sexual abuse report for the period 1945-2019, prepared by a law firm in Munich, Germany and shared the results on January 20, 2022, in 4 abuse cases. He had responded with a letter to the accusation of covering up the incident by not taking any action.
Emerit Pope Benedict XVI pleaded “forgiveness” to victims of sexual abuse, while arguing that he was not deliberately wrong to cover up some abuse cases during his tenure as Archbishop of Munich.
His resignation 10 YEARS AGO WAS HISTORY
Pope Ratzinger made a big surprise by announcing that he would leave the Papacy on 11 February 2013. This situation caused the resignation of popes, which is rare in the history of the Catholic Church, to be experienced again in the history of the church after 598 years with Pope Benedict XVI.
After the news of his resignation, which caused great surprise around the world, rumors spread that Benedict 16 had to resign due to the scandals at the Vatican Bank IOR, the “Vatileaks Mole Scandal” and the pressure created by the abuse incidents within the church.
Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pope in March 2013 in the Papal Election held to determine his successor while Pope Benedict XVI, who officially left his post on February 28, 2013, took the title of “Emerit” and retreated into seclusion. Cardinal Bergoglio started his duty by choosing the name Franciscus for himself.
10 years after his historic decision to resign, Emerit Pope Benedict XVI was living in the Convent of St. Mater Ecclesiae in the Vatican.
The current spiritual leader of the Catholics, Pope Pope Francis, also asked believers to pray for his “very sick” predecessor, Emerit Pope Benedict XVI, at his general acceptance session on December 28, 2022.