A van drove into a pedestrian zone killing at least 12 people and injuring more than 80 others.

After reciting the Angelus prayer on the feast of the Assumption, the pope asked Mary to obtain "for everyone consolation and a future of serenity and harmony."

The reports were sourced to a fake Facebook page.

"Faith is not an escape from life's problems but sustains it along the journey and gives it meaning," Pope Francis said.

"The real thing is that at this moment China and (the) pope have a very good relation," said Argentine Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, chancellor of the pontifical academies of Sciences and of Social Sciences.

The pope led pilgrims in praying a Hail Mary for the victims of the attacks at St. Philip's Catholic Church in Ozubulu, Nigeria and at a mission in Gambo, Central African Republic.