Former Pope Benedict passed away at his Vatican residence on Saturday aged 95.
"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," Vatican News tweeted.
Pope Benedict passed away two days after Pontiff Francis asked to pray for the "very sick" former Pope, CNN said in a report.
"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," Pope Francis said during his general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday.
"We ask the Lord to console and sustain him in this witness of love for the Church to the very end," added Pope Francis.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and said he will be remembered for his rich service to society.
Modi tweeted, "Saddened by the passing away of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who devoted his entire life to the Church and the teachings of Lord Christ. He will be remembered for his rich service to society. My thoughts are with the millions around the world who grieve his passing."
In 2013, Pope Benedict XVI shocked the world by making the almost unprecedented decision to stand down from his position, citing "advanced age."
Benedict's announcement marked the first time a Pope had stepped down in nearly 600 years.
The last Pope to resign before his death was Gregory XII, who in 1415 quit ending a civil war within the Catholic Church in which more than one man claimed to be Pope.
Under Benedict's tenure India got its first woman saint.
Kerala nun Sister Alphonsa became saint Alphonsa after being canonised by Pope Benedict XVI in 2008.
She was a nun belonging to the Syro Malabar Church, one of 23 "Oriental" or "Eastern" churches in full communion with the Catholic Church.
Head of Syro Malabar Church George Alencherry directed all parishes under his command to toll bells in churches and Christian establishments.
With inputs from PTI
