The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres has expressed sadness at the death of Pope Benedict XVI.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Mr. Guterres said, “It is with great sadness that I have learned of the passing of His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. We remember Pope Benedict as a humble man of prayer and study.  Principled in his faith, tireless in his pursuit of peace, and determined in his defence of human rights, he was a spiritual guide to millions across the world and one of the leading academic theologians of our time.

The UN Secretary-General recalled a visit to his outfit by the late Pope in 2008 address to appeal for “building international relations in a way that allows every person and every people to feel they can make a difference.”  

According to Mr. Guterres, “His powerful calls for solidarity with marginalized people everywhere and his urgent appeals to close the widening gap between rich and poor are more relevant than ever.”

“I offer my deepest condolences to Catholics and others around the world who were inspired by his life of prayer and tenacious commitment to non-violence and peace,” the statement concluded.

Former Pope Benedict XVI died on Saturday at his Vatican residence, aged 95, almost a decade after he stood down because of ailing health.

He led the Catholic Church for less than eight years until, in 2013, he became the first Pope to resign since Gregory XII in 1415.

Benedict spent his final years at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery within the walls of the Vatican.

His successor Pope Francis said he had visited him there frequently.

Although the former pontiff had been ill for some time, the Holy See said there had been an aggravation in his condition because of advancing age.