Pope Francis has defrocked the Chilean priest at the center of the global sex abuse scandal rocking his papacy, invoking his "supreme" authority to stiffen a sentence originally handed down by a Vatican court in 2011.

In this second document, Viganò confirms what was already evident to everyone: His real target is Pope Francis.

The spirit of Pope Francis will remain in the Baltic states for a long time to come.

Several bishops in the biggest country in Latin America have stepped forward in recent weeks to demonstrate their full support of the pontiff.

Pope Francis urged Chinese Catholics on Wednesday to trust God and make concrete gestures of reconciliation following the landmark deal over bishop appointments.

"Rome nominates, the pope nominates. That is clear!”