Photos: Pope Benedict XVI through the years

The Vatican has detailed rituals and procedures to follow when a pope dies, but it has not published such rules for a pope emeritus. As a result, official word Wednesday that the health of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI had worsened prompted questions about what happens if and when he dies.

Benedict stunned the Catholic faithful and religious experts in 2013 when he  stepped down from his position as Pope, citing his "advanced age."