Pope Benedict XVI, the first pope to resign in 600 years passed away last year. The former head of the Catholic church took his last breaths at his Vatican residence on December 31, 2022.
He passed away at the age of 95 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican where he had lived since his resignation. A few days before his death, the current Pope Francis shared that Pope Benedict XVI was very sick.
Then, Pope Francis said, “I want to ask you all for a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict who sustains the Church in his silence. He is very sick.” He went on to say, “We ask the Lord to console and sustain him in this witness of love for the Church to the very end.”
The actual reason behind the demise of Pope Benedict XVI has not been disclosed publicly till now. Read on and find out more about Pope Benedict XVI including his net worth at the time of his death.
What was the net worth of Pope Benedict XVI at the time of his death?
According to various media outlets, the estimated net worth of Pope Benedict XVI was $2.5 million at the time of his death. As per a report by CNBC, he received a $3,300 monthly pension after resigning as the leader of the Catholic Church.
It has been reported by the media outlet, that most of the expenses of Pope Benedict XVI such as living, as well as housing, were paid by the church. He left for the heavenly abode on December 31, 2022.
How long was Pope Benedict for?
For those of you who are unaware, let us share with you, Benedict was pope for a total of 8 years. He was elected on April 19, 2005, and he stepped down on February 28, 2013, and followed Pope John Paul II.
Pope Benedict XVI was the first pope in a huge 600 years to resign. Before him, the last pope to step down was Pope Gregory XII in the year 1415. After his resignation, he resided at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in Vatican City and made a few appearances with Francis.
Why did Pope Benedict XVI resign?
Pope Benedict XVI resigned in the year 2013 because of his old age. In a statement issued, he said, “After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.”
He added that unfortunately, his health had deteriorated to an extent that meant he could no longer “adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me”.
Benedict continued, “For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005.”
He went on to say, “With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.”
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