From a Washington Post story by Chico Harlan and Stefano Pitrelli headlined “How Benedict’s death could reshape the Catholic Church”:

VATICAN CITY — Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s death Saturday is an epochal loss for a church that was defined first by his resolute conservatism and later by his radical decision to abdicate power.

The Vatican said that Benedict died at 9:34 a.m. local time and that his body would be placed in St. Peter’s Basilica starting Jan. 2 for a salute “from the faithful.” Pope Francis will preside over his funeral, which will take place Thursday.