Victims of clergy abuse who are black say they were offered settlements far smaller than those given to white victims, an Associated Press investigation found.

Antonio Yao Shun has been consecrated bishop in the first ordination since last year’s Vatican-China deal.

Pope Benedict XVI said the fact that the critiques barely mentioned God proved his point.

"We oppose this rule that we believe is unlawful and inhumane. Countless children will be harmed by this new rule and this is simply not acceptable."

Describing the Amazon rainforest as "vital for our planet," Pope Francis joined the regions bishops in praying for action to extinguish the massive fires burning there.

"'Look, Lord, I belonged to this association; I was a friend of that bishop, of that cardinal, of that priest.' No, titles do not count; they do not count."