The cardinal already serves as president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.

Migrants and refugees must be given a dignified welcome, the pope said in his New Year's message.

He prayed for people across the globe, and especially for the people of Aleppo.

“There are more martyrs in the world today than in the early centuries of Christianity,” Francis told thousands of pilgrims.

The pope zoned in forcefully on a central aspect of the life of the Roman Curia, the papal civil service.

The Holy See declared that it is closely monitoring what is happening to the church in China and asked for “positive signals” from Beijing.

The Spanish monsignor was condemned to 18 months in prison for his role in the leaking of Vatican financial documents.

Francis said that at his stage of life one has to move even faster.

Pope Francis celebrates his 80th birthday with the homeless and reflects on the wisdom of getting older.

This was only the second time in six years that President Santos and ex-President Uribe have met.