MyNorthwest

News

Opinion

Sports

Tools

Connect

Benedict XVI, first pope to resign in 600 years, dies at 95

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI waves from his popemobile as he leaves a youth gathering in St. Peter's square at the Vatican on March 25, 2010. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)

FILE - Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI attends a Mass prior to the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, formally starting the Jubilee of Mercy, at the Vatican on Dec. 8, 2015. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)

FILE - Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI arrives in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Oct. 19, 2014, to attend the beatification ceremony of Pope Paul VI and a mass for the closing of a two-week synod on family issues, celebrated by Pope Francis. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)

FILE - Pope Francis, right, greets Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the Vatican on June 30, 2015. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (L'Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP, File)

FILE - Pope Francis, right, greets Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the end of a meeting with elderly faithful in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Sept. 28, 2014. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)

FILE - Pope Francis, right, greets Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI prior to the start of a meeting with elderly faithful in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Sept. 28, 2014. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)

FILE - Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI attends a consistory led by Pope Francis inside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on Feb. 22, 2014. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI leaves after greeting the faithful from the balcony window of the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, the scenic town where he will spend his first post-Vatican days and made his last public blessing as pope, on Feb. 28, 2013. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI greets a cheering crowd gathered to see him from the balcony window of the pontifical summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, on the outskirts of Rome, before he officially ends his pontificate a few hours later, on Feb. 28, 2013. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis, File)

FILE - A helicopter with Pope Benedict XVI onboard leaves the Vatican bound for Castel Gandolfo on Feb. 28, 2013. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI leaves after celebrating his last general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Feb. 27, 2013. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI acknowledges a cheering crowd during his second to last Angelus prayer from the window of his apartments at the Vatican on Feb. 17, 2013. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI waves from the popemobile wearing a Mexican sombrero as he arrives to give a Mass in Bicentennial Park near Silao, Mexico, on March 25, 2012. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI meets with Fidel Castro, right, in Havana, Cuba, on March 28, 2012. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Osservatore Romano, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI waves from his popemobile as he arrives in Revolution Square to celebrate a Mass in Havana, Cuba, on March 28, 2012. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Javier Galeano, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI is accompanied by Archbishop of Cotonou Antoine Ganye, right, as he performs a ritual upon arriving at Notre Dame cathedral in Cotonou, Benin, on Nov. 18, 2011. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

FILE - Pilgrims react as they approach Pope Benedict XVI and kiss his right hand, at Cuatro Vientos airport in Madrid, Spain, on Aug. 20, 2011. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI puts on a hat presented to him by a young man representing the youth from Latin America in Madrid's Cibeles square on Aug. 18, 2011. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Armando Franca, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI leads a Mass outside the Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona, Spain, designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi and whose construction began in 1882, during its consecration ceremony on Nov. 7, 2010. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI waves during his visit to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, northern Spain on Nov. 6, 2010.Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI is cheered by faithful upon his arrival in Cofton park to celebrate a beatification mass for Cardinal John Henry Newman in Birmingham, England, on Sept. 19, 2010. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)

FILE - Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, left, accompanies Pope Benedict XVI as he leaves the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Sept. 16, 2010. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, pool, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI rides in the popemobile as he leaves Fatima's Sanctuary in in Fatima, Portugal, on May 12, 2010. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti, File)

FILE - Faithful wave as Pope Benedict XVI arrives in his popemobile during a youth gathering in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on March 25, 2010. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI waves as he leaves the Regional Hospital in Aosta, Italy, on July 17, 2009, after surgery on his right wrist, which he broke during a late-night fall in his Alpine vacation chalet. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI smiles as he leaves the Regional Hospital in Aosta, Italy, on July 17, 2009, after surgery on his right wrist, which he broke during a late-night fall in his Alpine vacation chalet. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)

FILE - President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama meet with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican on July 10, 2009. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI waves to Palestinians as he arrives for a ceremony at the Aida Refugee Camp, backdropped by the separation barrier in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on May 13, 2009. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Muhammed Muheisen, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI, top right, kneels in prayer in front of the casket of late Pope John Paul II, laid out in state at the Altar of the Confession inside St. Peter's Basilica, at the end of a solemn celebration in St. Peter's Square where John Paul II was beatified on May 1, 2011. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, Pool, file)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI waves to journalists as he leaves the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on May 13, 2009. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Kevin Frayer, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI, accompanied by King Abdullah II of Jordan, second left, Queen Rania, left and Prince Ghazi bin Mohammed, right, visits the Bethany beyond the Jordan river, the site of Christ's baptism, west of Amman, Jordan, on May 10, 2009. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI wears a traditional Jordanian "Keffeyeh" that was presented to him during his visit to the Lady of Peace Church in Amman, Jordan, on May 8, 2009. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI arrives for a Holy Mass at Cimangola grounds in Luanda, Angola, on March 22, 2009. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI waves to faithful as he leaves after a special mass at the Amadou Ahidjo stadium, in Yaounde, Cameroon, March 19, 2009.Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI, center, talks with a firefighter in front of a collapsed student dormitory following an earthquake in L'Aquila, central Italy, on April 28, 2009. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI celebrates a special mass for the sick in front of the Basilica of the Rosary in Lourdes, France, on Sept. 15, 2008. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI, center, talks to an Australian Aborigine while waving to pilgrims aboard a harbor cruise in Sydney, Australia, on July 17, 2008. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI greets pilgrims aboard of the Sydney 2000 vessel in Sydney, Australia, on July 17, 2008. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, File)

FILE - President Bush walks with Pope Benedict XVI to the Lourdes Grotto at the Vatican on June 13, 2008. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI, center, kneels in prayer during his visit to ground zero in New York on April 20, 2008. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito, Pool, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI is greeted by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the U.N. headquarters on April 18, 2008, during a visit to New York. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI is followed by his personal bodyguard Domenico Giani as he visits the home of late missionary Josef Freinademetz, who was made saint after doing his mission in China, and pray in the church devoted to him, in Oies, Alta Badia, Italy, on Aug. 5, 2008. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Alberto Pellaschiar, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI, left, and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I greet the faithful from a balcony of the Ecumenical Patriarchate after attending the Divine Liturgy together in the nearby Church of St. George in Istanbul, Turkey, on Nov. 30, 2006. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Dimitri Messinis, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI waves to pilgrims at the end of a papal Mass at the Islinger field in Regensburg, southern Germany, on Sept. 12, 2006. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI walks through the gate of the former Nazi concentration camp of Auschwitz, with sign above reading in German "Work will set you free", in Oswiecim, Poland, on May 28, 2006. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Diether Endlicher, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI opens his arms as he celebrates his installment Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 24, 2005. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican soon after his election on April 19, 2005. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican soon after his election on April 19, 2005. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on April 19, 2005, soon after his election. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)

FILE - Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger blesses the coffin containing the body of Pope John Paul II during the funeral mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 8, 2005. Ratzinger went on to become Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)

FILE - The Vatican's Prefect for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, waves to faithful following a mass on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his priest ordination in the cathedral of Munich, southern Germany, on July 8, 2001. Ratzinger went on to become Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Diether Endlicher, File)

FILE - Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger presents a book with the documents issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith during a press conference at the Vatican on Dec. 12, 1985. Ratzinger went on to become Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Bruno Mosconi, File)

FILE - Pope John Paul II, right, shakes hands with Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, during Christmas greetings in the Clementine Hall at the Vatican on Dec. 20, 1985. Ratzinger went on to become Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Massimo Sambucetti, File)

FILE - Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, with the towers of Munich's cathedral in the background, bids farewell to Bavarian believers in downtown Munich, Germany, on Feb. 28, 1982, before heading to Rome to lead the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Vatican. Cardinal Ratzinger went on to become Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Dieter Endlicher, File)

FILE - Bavarian State Governor Franz Joseph Strauss, right, gives a crucifix as a farewell gift to Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who will leave to head the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Vatican, during his official farewell visit at the State Chancellery in Munich, Germany, on Feb. 12, 1982. Cardinal Ratzinger went on to become Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Claus Hampel, File)

FILE - Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, left, Eduard Lose, center, and Cardinal Hermann Volk laugh as they share a joke before the opening of the meeting between Catholic and Protestant confessions in Munich, West Germany, on May 6, 1981. Ratzinger went on to become Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Dieter Endlicher, File)

FILE - German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, left, head of the Vatican's watchdog body on doctrine, looks on while the head of the Armenian-Orthodox Church, Vasken I Baldyan, adjusts his hood, in Munich, Germany, in 1981. Ratzinger went on to become Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - Pope John Paul II, left, stands next to German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger at the Vatican in 1979. Ratzinger went on to become Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo, File)

FILE - Pope John Paul II, right, speaks to German cardinals Alfred Bengsch and Joseph Ratzinger, center, in the consistory hall of the Vatican Apostolic Palace, where the new elected Pontiff receives cardinals, on Oct. 18, 1979. Cardinal Ratzinger went on to become Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Pool, File)

FILE - Archbishop of Munich and Freising Joseph Ratzinger greets faithful in front of the Ramersdorfer Marienkirche (church Mary) after being nominated archbishop on May 23, 1977. Ratzinger went on to become Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Dieter Endlicher, File)

FILE - Joseph Ratzinger, archbishop of Munich and Freising, greets children in front of the Ramersdorfer Marienkirche (church of Mary) after being nominated archbishop on May 23, 1977. Ratzinger went on to become Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Dieter Endlicher, File)

FILE - Newly nominated Archbishop of Munich and Freising, Joseph Ratzinger, right, prays with Bishop Erns Tewes in the Crypta of the Cathedral of Freising, southern Germany, on March 31, 1977. Ratzinger went on to become Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Dieter Endlicher, File)

FILE - Newly nominated Archbishop of Munich and Freising, Joseph Ratzinger, right, prays with Bishop Erns Tewes in the Crypta of the Cathedral of Freising, southern Germany on March 31, 1977. Ratzinger went on to become Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Dieter Endlicher, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI blesses faithful as he leaves St. Peter's Square at the Vatican at the end of his weekly general audience. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito, File)

FILE - Pope Benedict XVI blesses the faithful as he arrives in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican to bless the nativity scene on Dec. 31, 2011. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, the German theologian who will be remembered as the first pope in 600 years to resign, has died, the Vatican announced Saturday. He was 95. (AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito, File)

Benedict XVI, first pope to resign in 600 years, dies at 95