“Widespread evidence shows that today, Christians constitute the most widely persecuted religion.”

The 77m statue, entitled Cristo de la Paz (Christ of Peace) will show Our Lord with his arms outstretched

Fr Greg Boyle, who is credited with having reduced gangland deaths in Los Angeles, joins President John F. Kennedy, Dorothy Day and Martin Sheen, as a recipient of Notre Dame’s Laetare Medal.

Hammer and sickle crucifix "was not offensive to me" Pope states as he pays tribute to Fr Luís Espinal's protest art.

Restaurant put a post on Facebook welcoming Pope Francis and thanking him "for choosing the BK restaurant as your sacristy".

Pontiff prays that Church might find new and effective solutions to the problems of the contemporary family.