Alessandro Gisotti, outgoing interim director of the Vatican press office, said the investigation, led by a Vatican-appointed specialist in forensic medicine, was being carried out according to internationally recognized protocols.

As the economic crisis deepens in Lebanon, so has the public's distrust in the ability of the old political class, widely viewed as corrupt and steeped in personal rivalries, to tackle major reform.

The Office of the West Virginia Attorney said sanctions issued by Pope Francis against Bishop Michael J. Bransfield are a "first step" but demanded further disclosure of the investigation.

A legal group critical of President Duterte, the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers, said the allegations "smack of political persecution and shotgun repression on its face using again the legal system as a potent political weapon through the law of rulers."

Bishop Vasquez ended his statement referring to Pope Francis' words that "we must work for 'globalization of solidarity' with refugees, not a globalization of indifference."

Four Irish bishops said abortion and same-sex marriage will be imposed on Northern Ireland after British politicians "hijacked" a bill intended for other purposes.