It is understood that the pope was rushed via emergency ambulance to his private suite at the intensive care unit in the Vaticans medical centre.

The pope had been suffering from chest pains throughout the morning, and following advice from his personal physician was referred to the medical centre for proposed treatment by a cardiac specialist.

It is believed that he suffered a massive heart attack, and despite frantic efforts to revive him the medical personnel were unable to do so.

Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation from his position; being the first pope to do so in over 600 years.

Little was known about the seriousness of the late pontiffs condition, and even close sources within the Vatican are baffled.

Sources close to this reporter made aware that fact that Benedict had being prescribed beta blockers for a relatively serious heart condition.

The late pontiff is survived by his older brother Georg Ratzinger.

Due to the faced pace of events information is limited at this early stage.

More information will be made available as it comes in.

Philip Pullella is a freelance religious affairs reporter. He has covered major stories and contributed to the Reuters news network since the 1970's.