Former Pope Benedict XVI has died aged 95

The pope who led the Catholic Church for less than a decade has died.

The Vatican said on December 28 that Benedict's health had deteriorated and he passed away on Saturday. Pope Francis said Benedict was very ill and called on the faithful to support him.

Matteo Bruni, a spokesman for the Vatican, said in a statement that the health condition of the pope had deteriorated in the last hours.

Benedict stepped down as the leader of the church due to his health issues. Most popes serve until their deaths, but he was the first one since the 15th century. Pope Francis is the new leader of the world.

During a time when the church was accused of sex abuse by priests and other church officials, Benedict was known as a conservative theologian.