* Former Pope Benedict has died aged 95 following prayers for his failing health
* World leaders have paid tribute to the ex-pontiff as a 'great theologian'
* He died at 9:34 on Saturday in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican
* He was first pontiff to resign as head of Catholic Church since the Middle Ages
World leaders have paid tribute to 'God's Rottweiler' Pope Benedict XVI after his death aged 95, hailing him as 'one of the greatest theologians of our time' and a 'formative figure' of the Catholic Church.
The ex-pontiff who became first to resign in 600 years when he stood down nine years ago passed away on Saturday in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican, a spokesman for the Holy See said.
'With sorrow I inform you that the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away today at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican. Further information will be provided as soon as possible,' spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a written statement.
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