During the Christmas Eve Mass, Pope Francis has denounced the yawning gap between the rich and the poor, calling on people in the developed world to seek a less materialistic life and help the poor.

The pontiff also warned against corruption and the pursuit of personal ambition at the expense of wider society,

The Vatican says Pope Francis has defrocked two Chilean bishops over child sex abuse.

Pope Francis accepts the resignation of Cardinal Donald Wuerl as archbishop of Washington, D.C., making him one of the most senior Catholic figures to step down in a worldwide sexual abuse crisis.

The North Korean leader invited the pontiff to visit his peninsular country.

The Vatican says Pope Francis has removed Father Fernando Karadima.

In addition to Chile, the Catholic Church faces sexual abuse scandals in countries including the United States and Germany.

Pope Francis removes a Chilean priest under investigation in a case involving the sexual abuse of children.

Pope Francis was set to host US bishops and cardinals on Thursday to discuss the Vatican's response to a new wave of devastating claims of sexual abuse by clergy.

Archbishop Carlo Vigano, who called on Pope Francis to resign, says corruption has reached the top levels of the Catholic Church.