Pope Francis said on Tuesday the Catholic Church had to acknowledge a history of male domination and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-says-church-hasnt-known-how-to-listen-193036">sexual abuse of women</a> and children and repair its reputation among young people or risk becoming "a museum".

But, in a major document in which he mentioned an array of scandals and again admitted significant failings by clergy, he also said the Church "could not agree with everything some feminist groups propose," a clear reference to the Church's ban on a female priesthood.

The pope is grappling with criticism over the Church's response to a decades-long clerical sexual abuse crisis that has gravely damaged its standing around the globe and seen it pay out billions of dollars in compensation.

Francis made his comment in a 50-page "Apostolic Exhortation" about a month-long meeting of bishops in October on the role of young people in the 1.3 billion-member Church.

Francis, 82, urged young people not to be disillusioned by the sexual abuse scandal, but to work with the overwhelming majority of priests and other clergy faithful to their vocation.

He said clergy sexual abuse was "a tragedy" and asked young people to help the Church in "this dark moment".

"A living Church can look back on history and acknowledge a fair share of male authoritarianism, domination, various forms of enslavement, abuse and sexist violence," the pontiff said.

"With this outlook, she can support the call to respect women's rights, and offer convinced support for greater reciprocity between males and females, while not agreeing with everything some feminist groups propose," he said.

Some women's groups seek a female priesthood. The Church has ruled this out, arguing Jesus chose only men as his apostles.

This month the all-female staff of the Vatican newspaper's monthly magazine on women's issues resigned, saying a new editor sought to put them "under direct male control". [uL8N21D34Q]

Recent stories in the magazine include one on sexual abuse of nuns by priests. The editor has denied their accusations.

WINNING BACK TRUST

Francis acknowledged the Church had to win back many young people who see it as insignificant in their lives or a nuisance.

He said such a view of the Church can "have serious and understandable reasons: sexual and financial scandals; a clergy ill-prepared to engage effectively with the sensitivities of the young."

The Church had to keep and attract young people by better explaining its doctrine, he said.

"A Church always on the defensive, which loses her humility and stops listening to others, which leaves no room for questions, loses her youth and turns into a museum," he said.

The pope did not mention demands by women participants at the synod that they be allowed to vote in future synods.

But while he said the Church should be "attentive to the legitimate claims of those women who seek greater justice and equality" and that young people had complained of a "lack of leading female role models," he offered no new ideas. Only a handful of women hold positions of authority in the Vatican.

The pope did not expand on homosexuality, saying only that the synod discussed it.

Pope Francis said on Tuesday the Catholic Church had to acknowledge a history of male domination and sexual abuse of women and children and repair its reputation among young people or risk becoming "a museum".

Pope Francis said on Tuesday the Catholic Church had to acknowledge a history of male domination and sexual abuse of women and children and repair its reputation among young people or risk becoming "a museum". But, in a major document in which he mentioned an array of scandals and again admitted significant failings by clergy, he also said the Church "could not agree with everything some feminist groups propose," a clear reference to the Church's ban on a female priesthood. The pope is grappling with criticism over the Church's response to a decades-long clerical sexual abuse crisis that has gravely damaged its standing around the globe and seen it pay out billions of dollars in compensation. Francis made his comment in a 50-page "Apostolic Exhortation" about a month-long meeting of bishops in October on the role of young people in the 1.3 billion-member Church. Francis, 82, urged young people not to be disillusioned by the sexual abuse scandal, but to work with the overwhelming majority of priests and other clergy faithful to their vocation. He said clergy sexual abuse was "a tragedy" and asked young people to help the Church in "this dark moment". "A living Church can look back on history and acknowledge a fair share of male authoritarianism, domination, various forms of enslavement, abuse and sexist violence," the pontiff said. "With this outlook, she can support the call to respect women's rights, and offer convinced support for greater reciprocity between males and females, while not agreeing with everything some feminist groups propose," he said. Some women's groups seek a female priesthood. The Church has ruled this out, arguing Jesus chose only men as his apostles. This month the all-female staff of the Vatican newspaper's monthly magazine on women's issues resigned, saying a new editor sought to put them "under direct male control". [uL8N21D34Q] Recent stories in the magazine include one on sexual abuse of nuns by priests. The editor has denied their accusations. WINNING BACK TRUST Francis acknowledged the Church had to win back many young people who see it as insignificant in their lives or a nuisance. He said such a view of the Church can "have serious and understandable reasons: sexual and financial scandals; a clergy ill-prepared to engage effectively with the sensitivities of the young." The Church had to keep and attract young people by better explaining its doctrine, he said. "A Church always on the defensive, which loses her humility and stops listening to others, which leaves no room for questions, loses her youth and turns into a museum," he said. The pope did not mention demands by women participants at the synod that they be allowed to vote in future synods. But while he said the Church should be "attentive to the legitimate claims of those women who seek greater justice and equality" and that young people had complained of a "lack of leading female role models," he offered no new ideas. Only a handful of women hold positions of authority in the Vatican. The pope did not expand on homosexuality, saying only that the synod discussed it.

Church should admit history of abuse of women, male domination: Pope Francis

Pope Francis said during an interview to a Spanish TV channel&nbsp;that Barcelona's star footballer <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=Lionel+Messi">Lionel Messi</a> is great but "he is not God".

Lionel Messi currently tops the European Top Scorer standings with 31 goals from 27 appearances ahead of Paris-Saint Germain's Kylian Mbappe.&nbsp;

Messi has scored 16 goals in 12 Champions League appearances to help Barca reach the quarterfinals in the ongoing season and also helped his side reach the Copa del Rey final.&nbsp;

For his great footwork and decisive skills, Messi is often hailed as football God by his fans.&nbsp;

Also for fans, Messi is 'D10S', a combination of the Spanish word for "God" - "Dios" - with the No. 10 on his shirt.&nbsp;

The leader of the Catholic Church explained that theoretically, Messi's reference to God is a violation of something which is sacred and it shouldn't be done.&nbsp;

"In theory, it is sacrilege," said Pope Francis, who is known to be a football fan.&nbsp;

"You can't do it," he added.&nbsp;

Pope, who was Born in Buenos Aires, is also a club member of Buenos Aires side San Lorenzo.&nbsp;

Recently, Messi's two goals gave Barcelona victory in the Catalan derby over Espanyol on Sunday, taking the Liga leaders another step closer to the title.&nbsp;

Pope Francis said during an interview to a Spanish TV channel that Barcelona's star footballer Lionel Messi is great but "he is not God". Lionel Messi currently tops the European Top Scorer standings with 31 goals from 27 appearances ahead of Paris-Saint Germain's Kylian Mbappe.

Pope Francis said during an interview to a Spanish TV channel that Barcelona's star footballer Lionel Messi is great but "he is not God". Lionel Messi currently tops the European Top Scorer standings with 31 goals from 27 appearances ahead of Paris-Saint Germain's Kylian Mbappe. Messi has scored 16 goals in 12 Champions League appearances to help Barca reach the quarterfinals in the ongoing season and also helped his side reach the Copa del Rey final. For his great footwork and decisive skills, Messi is often hailed as football God by his fans. Also for fans, Messi is 'D10S', a combination of the Spanish word for "God" - "Dios" - with the No. 10 on his shirt. The leader of the Catholic Church explained that theoretically, Messi's reference to God is a violation of something which is sacred and it shouldn't be done. "In theory, it is sacrilege," said Pope Francis, who is known to be a football fan. "You can't do it," he added. Pope, who was Born in Buenos Aires, is also a club member of Buenos Aires side San Lorenzo. Recently, Messi's two goals gave Barcelona victory in the Catalan derby over Espanyol on Sunday, taking the Liga leaders another step closer to the title.

Lionel Messi is 'not God', says Pope Francis

Pope Francis has called for tolerance and peace at a mass for thousands of Catholics during a rare visit by a pontiff to Morocco, after warning the faithful there against trying to convert others.&nbsp;

Ten thousand worshippers, many migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, packed a sports complex in Rabat on Sunday as the pope rounded off his two-day stay in the Muslim North African state.&nbsp;

"Often we are tempted to believe that hatred and revenge are legitimate ways of ensuring quick and effective justice," the 82-year-old pontiff told those gathered.&nbsp;

"Yet experience tells us that hatred, division and revenge succeed only in killing our peoples' soul, poisoning our children's hopes, and destroying and sweeping away everything we cherish."

Ahead of the mass the pope insisted to an audience of around 400 at Rabat's cathedral that trying to convert people to one's own belief "always leads to an impasse".

"Please, no proselytism!" he said.

Visit with migrants

Christians are a tiny minority in Morocco where 99 per cent of the population is Muslim, with sub-Saharan Africans making up a large part of the country's 30,000-strong Catholic community.

Islam is the state religion and authorities are keen to stress the country's "religious tolerance", which allows Christians and Jews to worship freely.

But Moroccans are automatically considered Muslim if they are not born into the Jewish community, apostasy is socially frowned upon, and proselytising is criminalised.

"I protect Moroccan Jews as well as Christians from other countries, who are living in Morocco," King Mohammed VI told crowds on Saturday, following the pontiff's arrival.

There are a few thousand Christian converts in Morocco, who since 2017 have called openly for the right to live "without persecution" and "without discrimination".

Francis is the first pontiff to visit the North African country since John Paul II in 1985 and the cathedral had been repainted for the occasion.

Waiting for the pope outside, a Nigerian man said the visit "shows that living together is possible in Morocco".

But "there are things to improve, notably the question of migrants and that of Moroccan Christians", said 36-year-old Antoine, who works for an association to defend migrant rights.

The need to support migrants was mentioned again Sunday by Francis, who has made the issue a focal point of his papacy.

On Saturday he visited migrants at a Caritas charity centre, where the pope criticised "collective expulsions" and said ways for migrants to regularise their status should be encouraged.

Morocco says it has a "humanistic" approach to migration and rejects allegations by rights groups of "brutal arrest campaigns" and "forced displacement" to the country's southern border.

Jerusalem declaration

Earlier on Sunday, Francis visited a social centre run by nuns and volunteers near Rabat, including a health centre where he met with unwell children.

The Moroccan king also welcomed Francis to the royal palace, where the two addressed the "sacred character of Jerusalem" in a joint declaration.

The city should be a "symbol of peaceful coexistence" for Christians, Jews and Muslims, they said in a statement released by the Vatican.

"The specific multi-religious character, the spiritual dimension and the particular cultural identity of Jerusalem... must be protected and promoted," said the text, which was jointly signed at Rabat's royal palace.

The Moroccan king chairs a committee created by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to safeguard and restore Jerusalem's religious, cultural and architectural heritage.

Jerusalem's status is one of the most sensitive issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel sees the entire city as its capital, while the Palestinians want the eastern sector as the capital of their future state.

Returning to Rome later Sunday, Francis told reporters on board the papal plane the "presumption of innocence" must prevail in relation to the appeal by French cardinal Philippe Barbarin who was handed a six-month suspended jail sentence earlier this month for failing to report sex abuse by a priest under his authority.

"When the second court delivers a sentence we will see what happens," the pope said, warning against a "superficial media condemnation".

"Perhaps he is not innocent, but it must be presumed that he is," he added.

In another interview the pope said a process of "healing" had started within the Church in the wake of a paedophilia summit in February, but acknowledged guilty priests had not been punished.&nbsp;

He told Spanish TV station La Sexta he understood that many were disappointed at the lack of concrete results of the landmark Vatican summit, but insisted progress was being made.

Pope Francis has called for tolerance and peace at a mass for thousands of Catholics during a rare visit by a pontiff to Morocco, after warning the faithful there against trying to convert others.

Pope Francis has called for tolerance and peace at a mass for thousands of Catholics during a rare visit by a pontiff to Morocco, after warning the faithful there against trying to convert others. Ten thousand worshippers, many migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, packed a sports complex in Rabat on Sunday as the pope rounded off his two-day stay in the Muslim North African state. "Often we are tempted to believe that hatred and revenge are legitimate ways of ensuring quick and effective justice," the 82-year-old pontiff told those gathered. "Yet experience tells us that hatred, division and revenge succeed only in killing our peoples' soul, poisoning our children's hopes, and destroying and sweeping away everything we cherish." Ahead of the mass the pope insisted to an audience of around 400 at Rabat's cathedral that trying to convert people to one's own belief "always leads to an impasse". "Please, no proselytism!" he said. Visit with migrants Christians are a tiny minority in Morocco where 99 per cent of the population is Muslim, with sub-Saharan Africans making up a large part of the country's 30,000-strong Catholic community. Islam is the state religion and authorities are keen to stress the country's "religious tolerance", which allows Christians and Jews to worship freely. But Moroccans are automatically considered Muslim if they are not born into the Jewish community, apostasy is socially frowned upon, and proselytising is criminalised. "I protect Moroccan Jews as well as Christians from other countries, who are living in Morocco," King Mohammed VI told crowds on Saturday, following the pontiff's arrival. There are a few thousand Christian converts in Morocco, who since 2017 have called openly for the right to live "without persecution" and "without discrimination". Francis is the first pontiff to visit the North African country since John Paul II in 1985 and the cathedral had been repainted for the occasion. Waiting for the pope outside, a Nigerian man said the visit "shows that living together is possible in Morocco". But "there are things to improve, notably the question of migrants and that of Moroccan Christians", said 36-year-old Antoine, who works for an association to defend migrant rights. The need to support migrants was mentioned again Sunday by Francis, who has made the issue a focal point of his papacy. On Saturday he visited migrants at a Caritas charity centre, where the pope criticised "collective expulsions" and said ways for migrants to regularise their status should be encouraged. Morocco says it has a "humanistic" approach to migration and rejects allegations by rights groups of "brutal arrest campaigns" and "forced displacement" to the country's southern border. Jerusalem declaration Earlier on Sunday, Francis visited a social centre run by nuns and volunteers near Rabat, including a health centre where he met with unwell children. The Moroccan king also welcomed Francis to the royal palace, where the two addressed the "sacred character of Jerusalem" in a joint declaration. The city should be a "symbol of peaceful coexistence" for Christians, Jews and Muslims, they said in a statement released by the Vatican. "The specific multi-religious character, the spiritual dimension and the particular cultural identity of Jerusalem... must be protected and promoted," said the text, which was jointly signed at Rabat's royal palace. The Moroccan king chairs a committee created by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to safeguard and restore Jerusalem's religious, cultural and architectural heritage. Jerusalem's status is one of the most sensitive issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel sees the entire city as its capital, while the Palestinians want the eastern sector as the capital of their future state. Returning to Rome later Sunday, Francis told reporters on board the papal plane the "presumption of innocence" must prevail in relation to the appeal by French cardinal Philippe Barbarin who was handed a six-month suspended jail sentence earlier this month for failing to report sex abuse by a priest under his authority. "When the second court delivers a sentence we will see what happens," the pope said, warning against a "superficial media condemnation". "Perhaps he is not innocent, but it must be presumed that he is," he added. In another interview the pope said a process of "healing" had started within the Church in the wake of a paedophilia summit in February, but acknowledged guilty priests had not been punished. He told Spanish TV station La Sexta he understood that many were disappointed at the lack of concrete results of the landmark Vatican summit, but insisted progress was being made.

Pope rounds off Morocco visit with mass for thousands

Pope Francis visits Morocco in 34 years, to boost Christian-Muslim relations

Pope Francis said on Saturday the plight of migrants was "a wound that cries out to heaven" and could never be healed by physical barriers.

Francis, starting a two-day visit to Morocco, also backed Moroccan King Mohammed VI's efforts to spread a form of Islam that promotes inter-religious dialogue and rejects violence in God's name.

In recent months, migration has again risen to the fore of national political debates in a number of North African and European countries and the United States.

U.S. President Donald Trump has promised to fulfil his campaign pledge to build a wall along the border with Mexico and on Friday threatened to close the border next week if Mexico did not stop immigrants reaching the United States.

"The issue of migration will never be resolved by raising barriers, fomenting fear of others or denying assistance to those who legitimately aspire to a better life for themselves and their families," Francis said at the welcoming ceremony.

"We know too that the consolidation of true peace comes through the pursuit of social justice, which is indispensable for correcting the economic imbalances and political unrest that have always had a major role in generating conflicts and threatening the whole of humanity," he said.

Morocco has become a key departure point for African migrants trying to reach Europe after crackdowns that closed or limited routes elsewhere. Italy's anti-immigrant interior minister has closed ports to rescue ships run by charity groups.

Francis, who has made defence of migrants and refugees a key part of his preaching, said he was concerned about their "frequently grim fate" and receiving countries must acknowledge that migrants were forced to leave their homes because of poverty and political upheaval.

From the airport to the city centre, Francis, 82, was driven in a white popemobile on a drizzly day as the 55-year-old king rode beside him standing up in a separate vehicle, a vintage black 1969 open-top Mercedes 600 Pullman.

In the afternoon, the pope spoke again of migration during a visit to a Church-run shelter. He called migration "a great and deep wound that continues to afflict our world at the beginning of this 21st century. A wound that cries out to heaven."

He said migrants and refugees had rights and dignity "independent of their legal status" and that host community should reject "all forms of discrimination and xenophobia".

Francis and the king visited an institute the monarch founded to train imams and male and female preachers of Islam.

Morocco, which is almost entirely Muslim, has promoted itself as an oasis of religious tolerance in a region torn by militancy. It has offered training to Muslim preachers from Africa and Europe on what it describes as moderate Islam.

Francis, making the first papal visit to Morocco in 34 years, praised the monarch for providing "sound training to combat all forms of extremism, which so often lead to violence and terrorism, and which, in any event, constitute an offence against religion and against God himself".

Pope Francis said on Saturday the plight of migrants was "a wound that cries out to heaven" and could never be healed by physical barriers. Francis, starting a two-day visit to Morocco, also backed Moroccan King Mohammed VI's efforts to spread a form of Islam that promotes inter-religious dialogue and rejects violence in God's name.

Pope Francis said on Saturday the plight of migrants was "a wound that cries out to heaven" and could never be healed by physical barriers. Francis, starting a two-day visit to Morocco, also backed Moroccan King Mohammed VI's efforts to spread a form of Islam that promotes inter-religious dialogue and rejects violence in God's name. In recent months, migration has again risen to the fore of national political debates in a number of North African and European countries and the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump has promised to fulfil his campaign pledge to build a wall along the border with Mexico and on Friday threatened to close the border next week if Mexico did not stop immigrants reaching the United States. "The issue of migration will never be resolved by raising barriers, fomenting fear of others or denying assistance to those who legitimately aspire to a better life for themselves and their families," Francis said at the welcoming ceremony. "We know too that the consolidation of true peace comes through the pursuit of social justice, which is indispensable for correcting the economic imbalances and political unrest that have always had a major role in generating conflicts and threatening the whole of humanity," he said. Morocco has become a key departure point for African migrants trying to reach Europe after crackdowns that closed or limited routes elsewhere. Italy's anti-immigrant interior minister has closed ports to rescue ships run by charity groups. Francis, who has made defence of migrants and refugees a key part of his preaching, said he was concerned about their "frequently grim fate" and receiving countries must acknowledge that migrants were forced to leave their homes because of poverty and political upheaval. From the airport to the city centre, Francis, 82, was driven in a white popemobile on a drizzly day as the 55-year-old king rode beside him standing up in a separate vehicle, a vintage black 1969 open-top Mercedes 600 Pullman. In the afternoon, the pope spoke again of migration during a visit to a Church-run shelter. He called migration "a great and deep wound that continues to afflict our world at the beginning of this 21st century. A wound that cries out to heaven." He said migrants and refugees had rights and dignity "independent of their legal status" and that host community should reject "all forms of discrimination and xenophobia". Francis and the king visited an institute the monarch founded to train imams and male and female preachers of Islam. Morocco, which is almost entirely Muslim, has promoted itself as an oasis of religious tolerance in a region torn by militancy. It has offered training to Muslim preachers from Africa and Europe on what it describes as moderate Islam. Francis, making the first papal visit to Morocco in 34 years, praised the monarch for providing "sound training to combat all forms of extremism, which so often lead to violence and terrorism, and which, in any event, constitute an offence against religion and against God himself".

'Wound' of migration not solved by physical barriers, pope says

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/balakot-air-strike-never-thought-about-my-political-future-says-pm-modi-206991">Balakot air strike: Never thought about my political future, says PM Modi</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday that he was able to take the decision to order the Balakot air strikes because he had faith in the country defence forces. Modi was speaking at Delhi's Talkatora stadium at a "Main Bhi Chowkidar" event.&nbsp;

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/court-martial-of-major-leetul-gogoi-completed-may-face-reduction-of-seniority-206943">Major Leetul Gogoi's </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/court-martial-of-major-leetul-gogoi-completed-may-face-reduction-of-seniority-206943">court martial</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/court-martial-of-major-leetul-gogoi-completed-may-face-reduction-of-seniority-206943"> complete, he may face </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/court-martial-of-major-leetul-gogoi-completed-may-face-reduction-of-seniority-206943">reduction</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/court-martial-of-major-leetul-gogoi-completed-may-face-reduction-of-seniority-206943"> of seniority: Officials</a>

Court martial proceedings against Major Leetul Gogoi, who was at the centre of the 2017 'human shield' controversy, have been completed and he may face a reduction in seniority as a punishment for "fraternising" with a local woman in Srinagar last year, officials said.

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/over-14-lakh-suspicious-transactions-generated-after-demonetisation-says-fiu-report-206964">Over 14 lakh suspicious transactions generated after demonetisation: Financial Intelligence Unit</a>

The 2016 demonetisation of two high-value currency notes led to the all-time-high generation of over 14 lakh suspicious transaction reports (STRs), a record 1,400% jump over the past, by banks and other financial institutions in the country, a Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) report has found.

The country's elite financial snooping unit has compiled comprehensive data of such instances, including fake currency deposits, for the year 2017-18.

This is the highest-ever figure of STRs since the FIU was set up over a decade ago.

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wound-of-migration-cannot-be-solved-by-physical-barriers-pope-francis-206960">'Wound' of migration cannot be solved by physical barriers: Pope Francis</a>

Pope Francis said on Saturday the plight of migrants was "a wound that cries out to heaven" and could never be healed by physical barriers.

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-open-kidambi-srikanth-loses-to-viktor-axelsen-in-finals-206968">India Open: Kidambi Srikanth loses final to Denmark's Viktor Axelsen</a>

Viktor Axelsen defeated India's Kidambi Srikanth 21-7, 22-20 on Sunday to take home the India Open 2019 men's singles title.

After a one-sided first game, Srikanth pulled back in the second game to give the Dane a tough fight. But Axelsen held on to win in straight games. &nbsp;

Srikanth had earlier displayed tremendous grit in the semi-final, bouncing back back from a game down to beat China's Huang Yuxiang 16-21, 21-14, 21-19.

 
&nbsp;

Balakot air strike: Never thought about my political future, says PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday that he was able to take the decision to order the Balakot air strikes because he had faith in the country defence forces.

Balakot air strike: Never thought about my political future, says PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday that he was able to take the decision to order the Balakot air strikes because he had faith in the country defence forces. Modi was speaking at Delhi's Talkatora stadium at a "Main Bhi Chowkidar" event. Major Leetul Gogoi's court martial complete, he may face reduction of seniority: Officials Court martial proceedings against Major Leetul Gogoi, who was at the centre of the 2017 'human shield' controversy, have been completed and he may face a reduction in seniority as a punishment for "fraternising" with a local woman in Srinagar last year, officials said. Over 14 lakh suspicious transactions generated after demonetisation: Financial Intelligence Unit The 2016 demonetisation of two high-value currency notes led to the all-time-high generation of over 14 lakh suspicious transaction reports (STRs), a record 1,400% jump over the past, by banks and other financial institutions in the country, a Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) report has found. The country's elite financial snooping unit has compiled comprehensive data of such instances, including fake currency deposits, for the year 2017-18. This is the highest-ever figure of STRs since the FIU was set up over a decade ago. 'Wound' of migration cannot be solved by physical barriers: Pope Francis Pope Francis said on Saturday the plight of migrants was "a wound that cries out to heaven" and could never be healed by physical barriers. India Open: Kidambi Srikanth loses final to Denmark's Viktor Axelsen Viktor Axelsen defeated India's Kidambi Srikanth 21-7, 22-20 on Sunday to take home the India Open 2019 men's singles title. After a one-sided first game, Srikanth pulled back in the second game to give the Dane a tough fight. But Axelsen held on to win in straight games. Srikanth had earlier displayed tremendous grit in the semi-final, bouncing back back from a game down to beat China's Huang Yuxiang 16-21, 21-14, 21-19.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Pope Francis told Morocco's tiny Catholic community on Sunday their role in the predominantly Muslim country was not to covert their neighbours but live in brotherhood with all other faiths.

Francis has used his two-day trip to stress inter-faith dialogue. He has also backed Moroccan King Mohammed VI's efforts to spread a form of Islam that promotes inter-religious dialogue and rejects violence in God's name.

The country's 23,000 Roman Catholics - most of them expatriate Europeans, mainly French, and sub-Saharan African migrants - make up less than one per cent of the population of about 35 million.

"Christians are a small minority in this country. Yet, to my mind, this is not a problem, even though I realise that at times it can be difficult for some of you," he said at a meeting with Catholic community leaders in Rabat's cathedral.

Conservative Catholics have frequently criticised the pope's position against organised or aggressive recruiting of potential converts.

"The Church grows not through proselytism but by attraction," Francis said to applause.

"This means, dear friends, that our mission as baptized persons, priests and consecrated men and women, is not really determined by the number or size of spaces that we occupy, but rather by our capacity to generate change and to awaken wonder and compassion," he said.

Moroccan authorities do not recognise Moroccan converts to Christianity, many of whom worship secretly in homes. Conversion from Islam to Christianity is banned - as it is in many Muslim countries - and proselytising is punishable by up to three years in prison.

"The problem is not when we are few in number, but when we are insignificant," Francis said, adding that Catholics were called to be an integral part of inter-religious dialogue in a world "torn apart by the policies of extremism and division".

On Saturday, Francis and King Mohammed VI visited an institute the monarch founded to train imams and male and female preachers of Islam.

Morocco has promoted itself as an oasis of religious tolerance in a region torn by militancy. It has offered training to Muslim preachers from Africa and Europe on what it describes as moderate Islam.

At the Saturday event, Francis praised the monarch for providing "sound training to combat all forms of extremism, which so often lead to violence and terrorism, and which, in any event, constitute an offence against religion and against God himself".

Also on Saturday, Jewish leaders joined Christian representatives in the front row at two events presided over by the pope and the monarch on interfaith dialogue.

Francis' appeal for inter-religious dialogue was made more poignant on Sunday by the presence in Rabat cathedral of Father Jean-Pierre Schumacher, a 95-year-old French monk who survived what is known as the Tibhirine massacre in Algeria.

In March 1996, seven French monks were kidnapped in a monastery in the central Algerian village of Tibhirine during the civil war. They were held for about two months and found dead. Schumacher managed to escape.

Pope Francis told Morocco's tiny Catholic community on Sunday their role in the predominantly Muslim country was not to covert their neighbours but live in brotherhood with all other faiths.

Pope Francis told Morocco's tiny Catholic community on Sunday their role in the predominantly Muslim country was not to covert their neighbours but live in brotherhood with all other faiths. Francis has used his two-day trip to stress inter-faith dialogue. He has also backed Moroccan King Mohammed VI's efforts to spread a form of Islam that promotes inter-religious dialogue and rejects violence in God's name. The country's 23,000 Roman Catholics - most of them expatriate Europeans, mainly French, and sub-Saharan African migrants - make up less than one per cent of the population of about 35 million. "Christians are a small minority in this country. Yet, to my mind, this is not a problem, even though I realise that at times it can be difficult for some of you," he said at a meeting with Catholic community leaders in Rabat's cathedral. Conservative Catholics have frequently criticised the pope's position against organised or aggressive recruiting of potential converts. "The Church grows not through proselytism but by attraction," Francis said to applause. "This means, dear friends, that our mission as baptized persons, priests and consecrated men and women, is not really determined by the number or size of spaces that we occupy, but rather by our capacity to generate change and to awaken wonder and compassion," he said. Moroccan authorities do not recognise Moroccan converts to Christianity, many of whom worship secretly in homes. Conversion from Islam to Christianity is banned - as it is in many Muslim countries - and proselytising is punishable by up to three years in prison. "The problem is not when we are few in number, but when we are insignificant," Francis said, adding that Catholics were called to be an integral part of inter-religious dialogue in a world "torn apart by the policies of extremism and division". On Saturday, Francis and King Mohammed VI visited an institute the monarch founded to train imams and male and female preachers of Islam. Morocco has promoted itself as an oasis of religious tolerance in a region torn by militancy. It has offered training to Muslim preachers from Africa and Europe on what it describes as moderate Islam. At the Saturday event, Francis praised the monarch for providing "sound training to combat all forms of extremism, which so often lead to violence and terrorism, and which, in any event, constitute an offence against religion and against God himself". Also on Saturday, Jewish leaders joined Christian representatives in the front row at two events presided over by the pope and the monarch on interfaith dialogue. Francis' appeal for inter-religious dialogue was made more poignant on Sunday by the presence in Rabat cathedral of Father Jean-Pierre Schumacher, a 95-year-old French monk who survived what is known as the Tibhirine massacre in Algeria. In March 1996, seven French monks were kidnapped in a monastery in the central Algerian village of Tibhirine during the civil war. They were held for about two months and found dead. Schumacher managed to escape.

Conversion is not your mission, pope tells Catholics in Morocco

Pope Francis said on Saturday the plight of migrants was "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-on-trip-to-panama-says-fear-of-migrants-makes-people-crazy-192375">a wound that cries out to heaven</a>" and could never be healed by physical barriers.

Francis, starting a two-day visit to Morocco, also backed Moroccan King Mohammed VI's efforts to spread a form of Islam that promotes inter-religious dialogue and rejects violence in God's name.

In recent months, migration has again risen to the fore of national political debates in a number of North African and European countries and the United States.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump has promised to fulfil his campaign pledge to build a wall along the border with Mexico and on Friday threatened to close the border next week if Mexico did not stop immigrants reaching the United States.

"The issue of migration will never be resolved by raising barriers, fomenting fear of others or denying assistance to those who legitimately aspire to a better life for themselves and their families," Francis said at the welcoming ceremony.

"We know too that the consolidation of true peace comes through the pursuit of social justice, which is indispensable for correcting the economic imbalances and political unrest that have always had a major role in generating conflicts and threatening the whole of humanity," he said.

Morocco has become a key departure point for African migrants trying to reach Europe after crackdowns that closed or limited routes elsewhere. Italy's anti-immigrant interior minister has closed ports to rescue ships run by charity groups.

Francis, who has made defence of migrants and refugees a key part of his preaching, said he was concerned about their "frequently grim fate" and receiving countries must acknowledge that migrants were forced to leave their homes because of poverty and political upheaval.

From the airport to the city centre, Francis, 82, was driven in a white popemobile on a drizzly day as the 55-year-old king rode beside him standing up in a separate vehicle, a vintage black 1969 open-top Mercedes 600 Pullman.

In the afternoon, the pope spoke again of migration during a visit to a Church-run shelter. He called migration "a great and deep wound that continues to afflict our world at the beginning of this 21st century. A wound that cries out to heaven."

He said migrants and refugees had rights and dignity "independent of their legal status" and that host communities should reject "all forms of discrimination and xenophobia".

Francis and the king visited an institute the monarch founded to train imams and male and female preachers of Islam.

Morocco, which is almost entirely Muslim, has promoted itself as an oasis of religious tolerance in a region torn by militancy. It has offered training to Muslim preachers from Africa and Europe on what it describes as moderate Islam.

Francis, making the first papal visit to Morocco in 34 years, praised the monarch for providing "sound training to combat all forms of extremism, which so often lead to violence and terrorism, and which, in any event, constitute an offence against religion and against God himself".

Pope Francis said on Saturday the plight of migrants was "a wound that cries out to heaven" and could never be healed by physical barriers. Francis, starting a two-day visit to Morocco, also backed Moroccan King Mohammed VI's efforts to spread a form of Islam that promotes inter-religious dialogue and rejects violence in God's name. In recent months, migration has again risen to the fore of national political debates in a number of North African and European countries and the United States. US President Donald Trump has promised to fulfil his campaign pledge to build a wall along the border with Mexico and on Friday threatened to close the border next week if Mexico did not stop immigrants reaching the United States. "The issue of migration will never be resolved by raising barriers, fomenting fear of others or denying assistance to those who legitimately aspire to a better life for themselves and their families," Francis said at the welcoming ceremony. "We know too that the consolidation of true peace comes through the pursuit of social justice, which is indispensable for correcting the economic imbalances and political unrest that have always had a major role in generating conflicts and threatening the whole of humanity," he said. Morocco has become a key departure point for African migrants trying to reach Europe after crackdowns that closed or limited routes elsewhere. Italy's anti-immigrant interior minister has closed ports to rescue ships run by charity groups. Francis, who has made defence of migrants and refugees a key part of his preaching, said he was concerned about their "frequently grim fate" and receiving countries must acknowledge that migrants were forced to leave their homes because of poverty and political upheaval. From the airport to the city centre, Francis, 82, was driven in a white popemobile on a drizzly day as the 55-year-old king rode beside him standing up in a separate vehicle, a vintage black 1969 open-top Mercedes 600 Pullman. In the afternoon, the pope spoke again of migration during a visit to a Church-run shelter. He called migration "a great and deep wound that continues to afflict our world at the beginning of this 21st century. A wound that cries out to heaven." He said migrants and refugees had rights and dignity "independent of their legal status" and that host communities should reject "all forms of discrimination and xenophobia". Francis and the king visited an institute the monarch founded to train imams and male and female preachers of Islam. Morocco, which is almost entirely Muslim, has promoted itself as an oasis of religious tolerance in a region torn by militancy. It has offered training to Muslim preachers from Africa and Europe on what it describes as moderate Islam. Francis, making the first papal visit to Morocco in 34 years, praised the monarch for providing "sound training to combat all forms of extremism, which so often lead to violence and terrorism, and which, in any event, constitute an offence against religion and against God himself".

'Wound' of migration cannot be solved by physical barriers: Pope Francis

To kiss or not to kiss pope's ring - that is the question Catholics face

Pope Francis refuses to let people kiss his papal ring

Pope Francis has rejected the resignation of French cardinal Philippe Barbarin who was handed a six-month suspended jail sentence this month for failing to report <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vatican-to-open-probe-into-australian-cardinal-pell-over-child-sex-abuse-200072">sex abuse by a priest </a>under his authority, prompting surprise among Church leaders and condemnation from victims.

The pope's decision, announced by Barbarin in a statement and confirmed by the Vatican, comes ahead of a judicial appeal of the case.

But it also comes against the background of the Roman Catholic Church's struggle to restore trust in its efforts to fight child abuse, with the pope saying last month that "no abuse must ever be covered up, as has happened in the past".

In a statement issued from his see in the French southeastern city of Lyon, Barbarin said: "Monday morning, I handed over my mission to the Holy Father. He spoke of the presumption of innocence and did not accept this resignation."

Barbarin, the most senior French cleric caught up in the global paedophilia scandal, said he would remain in Lyon pending the court appeal, but added that "for a little while" he would step back from his job, allowing, at the pope's "suggestion", the local vicar general Yves Baumgarten to run day-to-day affairs.&nbsp;

The chairman of the Bishops' Conference of France -- which represents top French Catholic clerics -- expressed surprise at the decision which creates an "unheard of" situation.

"I did not expect this scenario which falls between the two outcomes that we expected," bishop Georges Pontier told AFP.

This "unheard of" situation results from the difficulty of "respecting the judicial process" along with the need to "look after the Lyon diocese".

On March 7, a Lyon court had ruled that Barbarin, a cardinal since 2003, was guilty of failing to report allegations of abuse of boy scouts committed by a priest, Bernard Preynat, in the 1980s and 1990s.

Barbarin's lawyer said he would appeal the guilty ruling which was hailed by abuse victims as ushering in a new period of accountability in the French Church.

The pope, who met 68-year-old Barbarin on Monday, had previously also defended him, saying in 2016 that his resignation before a trial would be "an error, imprudent".

Victims of the sex abuse at the heart of the case Tuesday reacted with anger to news that Barbarin was staying put.

'A mistake too many'

Francois Devaux, a co-founder of a victims' organisation, said the pope has made "one mistake too many".

"I think that man (the pope) is going to manage to kill off the church. It's a mistake too many. It just shows how right we are and how this whole problem is part of the dogma," he added.

Another member of the victims' association, Pierre-Emmanuel Germain-Thill, termed the pope's decision "shocking", stressing that the initial condemnation by a court could not simply be ignored.

"We shall continue to fight," he said, saying the situation was all the more difficult for the victims as Preynat, the priest at the heart of the abuse scandal, had not yet been judged,

He is expected to be tried later this year.

A slew of abuse scandals tainting the church has spanned the globe, from Australia to Chile and the United States.

Less than a week after Barbarin's conviction, the Vatican's former number three, Australian Cardinal George Pell, was sentenced to six years in prison by a Melbourne court for the "brazen" sexual abuse of two choirboys.

Pope Francis has rejected the resignation of French cardinal Philippe Barbarin who was handed a six-month suspended jail sentence this month for failing to report sex abuse by a priest under his authority, prompting surprise among Church leaders and condemnation from victims.

Pope Francis has rejected the resignation of French cardinal Philippe Barbarin who was handed a six-month suspended jail sentence this month for failing to report sex abuse by a priest under his authority, prompting surprise among Church leaders and condemnation from victims. The pope's decision, announced by Barbarin in a statement and confirmed by the Vatican, comes ahead of a judicial appeal of the case. But it also comes against the background of the Roman Catholic Church's struggle to restore trust in its efforts to fight child abuse, with the pope saying last month that "no abuse must ever be covered up, as has happened in the past". In a statement issued from his see in the French southeastern city of Lyon, Barbarin said: "Monday morning, I handed over my mission to the Holy Father. He spoke of the presumption of innocence and did not accept this resignation." Barbarin, the most senior French cleric caught up in the global paedophilia scandal, said he would remain in Lyon pending the court appeal, but added that "for a little while" he would step back from his job, allowing, at the pope's "suggestion", the local vicar general Yves Baumgarten to run day-to-day affairs. The chairman of the Bishops' Conference of France -- which represents top French Catholic clerics -- expressed surprise at the decision which creates an "unheard of" situation. "I did not expect this scenario which falls between the two outcomes that we expected," bishop Georges Pontier told AFP. This "unheard of" situation results from the difficulty of "respecting the judicial process" along with the need to "look after the Lyon diocese". On March 7, a Lyon court had ruled that Barbarin, a cardinal since 2003, was guilty of failing to report allegations of abuse of boy scouts committed by a priest, Bernard Preynat, in the 1980s and 1990s. Barbarin's lawyer said he would appeal the guilty ruling which was hailed by abuse victims as ushering in a new period of accountability in the French Church. The pope, who met 68-year-old Barbarin on Monday, had previously also defended him, saying in 2016 that his resignation before a trial would be "an error, imprudent". Victims of the sex abuse at the heart of the case Tuesday reacted with anger to news that Barbarin was staying put. 'A mistake too many' Francois Devaux, a co-founder of a victims' organisation, said the pope has made "one mistake too many". "I think that man (the pope) is going to manage to kill off the church. It's a mistake too many. It just shows how right we are and how this whole problem is part of the dogma," he added. Another member of the victims' association, Pierre-Emmanuel Germain-Thill, termed the pope's decision "shocking", stressing that the initial condemnation by a court could not simply be ignored. "We shall continue to fight," he said, saying the situation was all the more difficult for the victims as Preynat, the priest at the heart of the abuse scandal, had not yet been judged, He is expected to be tried later this year. A slew of abuse scandals tainting the church has spanned the globe, from Australia to Chile and the United States. Less than a week after Barbarin's conviction, the Vatican's former number three, Australian Cardinal George Pell, was sentenced to six years in prison by a Melbourne court for the "brazen" sexual abuse of two choirboys.

Pope Francis rejects resignation of French cardinal in sex abuse cover-up

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/popes-vow-to-battle-child-sex-abuse-fails-to-appease-victims-199463">Pope Francis</a> announced on Monday that he has decided to open fully the Vatican's secret archives on the wartime pontificate of Pope Pius XII, something which Jews have been seeking for decades.

Some Jews have accused Pius, who reigned from 1939 to 1958, of turning a blind eye to the Holocaust during World War Two by not speaking out forcefully.

The Vatican has said Pius worked quietly behind the scenes to save Jews and so as to not worsen the situation for many, including for Catholics in parts of Nazi-occupied Europe.

The archives will open on March 2, 2020, Francis announced in a speech to members of the Vatican's Secret Archives. He said "the Church is not afraid of history", adding that Pius' legacy had been treated with "some prejudice and exaggeration"

The American Jewish Committee (AJC), one of the world's leading Jewish groups, welcomed the move.

"For more than 30 years, the AJC has called for the full opening the Holy See’s Secret Archives from the period of World War Two," said Rabbi David Rosen, the AJC's International Director of Interreligious Affairs.

"It is particularly important that experts from the leading Holocaust memorial institutes in Israel and the U.S. objectively evaluate as best as possible the historical record of that most terrible of times, to acknowledge both the failures as well as the valiant efforts made during the period of the Shoah," Rosen told Reuters in an email, using the Hebrew word for the Holocaust.

Pope Francis announced on Monday that he has decided to open fully the Vatican's secret archives on the wartime pontificate of Pope Pius XII, something which Jews have been seeking for decades.

Pope Francis announced on Monday that he has decided to open fully the Vatican's secret archives on the wartime pontificate of Pope Pius XII, something which Jews have been seeking for decades. Some Jews have accused Pius, who reigned from 1939 to 1958, of turning a blind eye to the Holocaust during World War Two by not speaking out forcefully. The Vatican has said Pius worked quietly behind the scenes to save Jews and so as to not worsen the situation for many, including for Catholics in parts of Nazi-occupied Europe. The archives will open on March 2, 2020, Francis announced in a speech to members of the Vatican's Secret Archives. He said "the Church is not afraid of history", adding that Pius' legacy had been treated with "some prejudice and exaggeration" The American Jewish Committee (AJC), one of the world's leading Jewish groups, welcomed the move. "For more than 30 years, the AJC has called for the full opening the Holy See’s Secret Archives from the period of World War Two," said Rabbi David Rosen, the AJC's International Director of Interreligious Affairs. "It is particularly important that experts from the leading Holocaust memorial institutes in Israel and the U.S. objectively evaluate as best as possible the historical record of that most terrible of times, to acknowledge both the failures as well as the valiant efforts made during the period of the Shoah," Rosen told Reuters in an email, using the Hebrew word for the Holocaust.

Vatican will open secret archives of WWII pope: Francis

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/no-remorse-prosecutors-call-for-immediate-imprisonment-of-australian-cardinal-george-pell-199943">Australia's Cardinal George Pell</a>, a former top adviser to Pope Francis, was remanded into custody on Wednesday after a sentence plea hearing on his conviction for sexually abusing two choir boys more than two decades ago.

Pell will be formally sentenced on March 13.

Pell faces a maximum of 10 years in jail for each of five child sex offences, which included indecent assault and one charge of sexual penetration.

His lawyers have lodged an appeal against his conviction.

Pell was found guilty of child sex abuse in December. The guilty verdict was revealed on Tuesday after a court suppression order was dropped.

Judge Peter Kidd revoked Pell's bail on Wednesday, granted for medical treatment after his 2018 trial, and he was immediately taken into custody at the end of the plea hearing.

Pell, the Vatican's former treasurer, is the most senior Catholic clergyman in the world to be convicted for child sex offences, an outcome that shocked the church and his supporters.

"This offending warrants immediate imprisonment," prosecutor Mark Gibson told the court on Wednesday. "It involved two vulnerable boys, given their age, 13."

Pell's lawyer Robert Richter argued for a lenient sentence.

Ten character references submitted for Pell describe him as a man of great passion, with a great sense of humour who could relate to everyone from prime ministers to street beggars, Richter told the court.

"None of them believe he is capable of this," Richter said.

Australia's Cardinal George Pell, a former top adviser to Pope Francis, was remanded into custody on Wednesday after a sentence plea hearing on his conviction for sexually abusing two choir boys more than two decades ago.

Australia's Cardinal George Pell, a former top adviser to Pope Francis, was remanded into custody on Wednesday after a sentence plea hearing on his conviction for sexually abusing two choir boys more than two decades ago. Pell will be formally sentenced on March 13. Pell faces a maximum of 10 years in jail for each of five child sex offences, which included indecent assault and one charge of sexual penetration. His lawyers have lodged an appeal against his conviction. Pell was found guilty of child sex abuse in December. The guilty verdict was revealed on Tuesday after a court suppression order was dropped. Judge Peter Kidd revoked Pell's bail on Wednesday, granted for medical treatment after his 2018 trial, and he was immediately taken into custody at the end of the plea hearing. Pell, the Vatican's former treasurer, is the most senior Catholic clergyman in the world to be convicted for child sex offences, an outcome that shocked the church and his supporters. "This offending warrants immediate imprisonment," prosecutor Mark Gibson told the court on Wednesday. "It involved two vulnerable boys, given their age, 13." Pell's lawyer Robert Richter argued for a lenient sentence. Ten character references submitted for Pell describe him as a man of great passion, with a great sense of humour who could relate to everyone from prime ministers to street beggars, Richter told the court. "None of them believe he is capable of this," Richter said.

Australia's Cardinal George Pell remanded into custody for child sex offences

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/top-vatican-cleric-cardinal-pell-convicted-of-child-sex-crimes-199719">Convicted Australian Cardinal George Pell</a> has shown "no remorse" for his assault of two choirboys, prosecutors said Wednesday as they called for immediate imprisonment after his historic conviction for child sex crimes.

Once among Pope Francis' closest advisors and the most senior Catholic cleric ever found guilty of child sex crimes, Pell was harangued by angry protesters who called him a "maggot" and a "monster" as he arrived at a Melbourne court for a pre-sentencing hearing a day after his conviction was made public.

The 77-year-old is facing up to 50 years' jail after being convicted on five counts of sexual and indecent assault of the two choirboys in 1996-97, shortly after he became Archbishop of Melbourne.&nbsp;

Pell is appealing the verdict.

Prosecutors told Wednesday's pre-sentencing hearing that Pell had "shown no remorse" for his actions.

"He has not taken responsibility for his actions. There remains no explanation for this offending," Crown Prosecutor Mark Gibson told the County Court of Victoria.

"There has been a breach of trust... Cardinal Pell was the driving force... and in charge of the cathedral, and these choristers were cogs in the cathedral wheel."

Pell is expected to be remanded in custody following Wednesday's submissions after his legal team suddenly withdrew an earlier application for bail pending his appeal, a process which could take months.

His barrister Robert Richter argued Pell's behaviour was not premeditated, and that he had 10 character references from individuals and "none of them believe him capable of this".

"This is a court of law, not a court of morals," he told Chief Justice Peter Kidd.

'You're evil'&nbsp; 
The revelation on Tuesday of Pell's conviction has rocked Australia and dominated the news. A large media pack and crowd confronted the cardinal as he arrived in court, with one protester screaming: "You're a maggot, Pell, you rot in hell."

"You're the devil," You're evil... You're a paedophile," "Criminal", "monster", "May you rot in hell," protesters shouted.

Shortly before Wednesday's hearing, Vatican spokesman Alessandro Gisotti announced on Twitter that Pell had been removed from his position as chief of Vatican finances, the third-most powerful position in the Church.

The Vatican said earlier it had "utmost respect" for the Australian justice system following the "painful news" of Pell's conviction.

The Cardinal was found guilty in December of assaulting the two choirboys in the sacristy of Melbourne's Saint Patrick's Cathedral, but the verdict was only revealed Tuesday after a second trial against him was abandoned by prosecutors, allowing a gag order to be lifted.

He was due to be remanded in custody in December but that was delayed until the pre-sentencing hearing as his lawyer said he required urgent double knee surgery.

Pell has already appealed the verdict and his lawyer told the court Tuesday it would be based on three grounds -- that the jury verdict was unreasonable, that an animation showing movements of people in the cathedral on the day of the alleged abuse was rejected, and that there were issues with how the jury was formed.

Pell is expected to be sentenced in the next two weeks.

The Court of Appeal process, which could last up to a year, will see a bench usually made up of three judges review the same evidence that the jurors were presented within the earlier trial.

Criminal law expert Jeremy Gans of the University of Melbourne told AFP the judges could question the jury's conclusions based on the fact that the case was based on only one person's -- the surviving victim's -- testimony.

The other choirboy, who died of a drug overdose in 2014, had never told his parents he was abused.

During the trial, the court had heard that Pell abused the two boys after catching them swigging from a bottle of sacramental wine. He exposed himself and forced one of them to perform oral sex on him, and fondled the boy's genitals while masturbating.

Convicted Australian Cardinal George Pell has shown "no remorse" for his assault of two choirboys, prosecutors said Wednesday as they called for immediate imprisonment after his historic conviction for child sex crimes.

Convicted Australian Cardinal George Pell has shown "no remorse" for his assault of two choirboys, prosecutors said Wednesday as they called for immediate imprisonment after his historic conviction for child sex crimes. Once among Pope Francis' closest advisors and the most senior Catholic cleric ever found guilty of child sex crimes, Pell was harangued by angry protesters who called him a "maggot" and a "monster" as he arrived at a Melbourne court for a pre-sentencing hearing a day after his conviction was made public. The 77-year-old is facing up to 50 years' jail after being convicted on five counts of sexual and indecent assault of the two choirboys in 1996-97, shortly after he became Archbishop of Melbourne. Pell is appealing the verdict. Prosecutors told Wednesday's pre-sentencing hearing that Pell had "shown no remorse" for his actions. "He has not taken responsibility for his actions. There remains no explanation for this offending," Crown Prosecutor Mark Gibson told the County Court of Victoria. "There has been a breach of trust... Cardinal Pell was the driving force... and in charge of the cathedral, and these choristers were cogs in the cathedral wheel." Pell is expected to be remanded in custody following Wednesday's submissions after his legal team suddenly withdrew an earlier application for bail pending his appeal, a process which could take months. His barrister Robert Richter argued Pell's behaviour was not premeditated, and that he had 10 character references from individuals and "none of them believe him capable of this". "This is a court of law, not a court of morals," he told Chief Justice Peter Kidd. 'You're evil' The revelation on Tuesday of Pell's conviction has rocked Australia and dominated the news. A large media pack and crowd confronted the cardinal as he arrived in court, with one protester screaming: "You're a maggot, Pell, you rot in hell." "You're the devil," You're evil... You're a paedophile," "Criminal", "monster", "May you rot in hell," protesters shouted. Shortly before Wednesday's hearing, Vatican spokesman Alessandro Gisotti announced on Twitter that Pell had been removed from his position as chief of Vatican finances, the third-most powerful position in the Church. The Vatican said earlier it had "utmost respect" for the Australian justice system following the "painful news" of Pell's conviction. The Cardinal was found guilty in December of assaulting the two choirboys in the sacristy of Melbourne's Saint Patrick's Cathedral, but the verdict was only revealed Tuesday after a second trial against him was abandoned by prosecutors, allowing a gag order to be lifted. He was due to be remanded in custody in December but that was delayed until the pre-sentencing hearing as his lawyer said he required urgent double knee surgery. Pell has already appealed the verdict and his lawyer told the court Tuesday it would be based on three grounds -- that the jury verdict was unreasonable, that an animation showing movements of people in the cathedral on the day of the alleged abuse was rejected, and that there were issues with how the jury was formed. Pell is expected to be sentenced in the next two weeks. The Court of Appeal process, which could last up to a year, will see a bench usually made up of three judges review the same evidence that the jurors were presented within the earlier trial. Criminal law expert Jeremy Gans of the University of Melbourne told AFP the judges could question the jury's conclusions based on the fact that the case was based on only one person's -- the surviving victim's -- testimony. The other choirboy, who died of a drug overdose in 2014, had never told his parents he was abused. During the trial, the court had heard that Pell abused the two boys after catching them swigging from a bottle of sacramental wine. He exposed himself and forced one of them to perform oral sex on him, and fondled the boy's genitals while masturbating.

'No remorse': Prosecutors call for 'immediate imprisonment' of Australian Cardinal George Pell

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-delay-china-tariff-increase-trump-199444">Trump says he is delaying tariff increase on Chinese goods</a>

The United States is delaying a planned increase of tariffs on more than $200 billion in Chinese exports after both sides hailed "substantial progress" made in trade talks.

US President Donald Trump also said Sunday that he planned to hold a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Florida estate Mar-a-Lago to ink a deal.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/oscars-2019-live-hollywoods-biggest-night-is-here-199432">Oscars 2019, Live: India-based 'Period: End Of Sentence' wins </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/oscars-2019-live-hollywoods-biggest-night-is-here-199432">best</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/oscars-2019-live-hollywoods-biggest-night-is-here-199432"> documentary short award</a>

Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga get a standing ovation as they sing a mesmerising version of 'Shallow' from their film 'A Star Is Born'.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/give-peace-a-chance-imran-khan-to-pm-modi-199487">Give peace a chance: Imran Khan to PM Modi</a>

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday asked his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to "give peace a chance" and assured him that he "stands by" his words and will "immediately act" if New Delhi provides Islamabad with "actionable intelligence" on the Pulwama attack.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/popes-vow-to-battle-child-sex-abuse-fails-to-appease-victims-199463">Pope vows to battle child sex abuse by </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/popes-vow-to-battle-child-sex-abuse-fails-to-appease-victims-199463">Catholic</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/popes-vow-to-battle-child-sex-abuse-fails-to-appease-victims-199463"> church but fails to appease victims</a>

Pope Francis on Sunday vowed to tackle every single case of sexual abuse by priests, comparing paedophilia to "human sacrifice", but drew an angry response from victims.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/oscars-red-carpet-jennifer-lopez-chadwick-boseman-rami-malek-turn-up-the-heat-199465#rami-malek-and-lucy-boynton-199433">Oscars red carpet: Jennifer Lopez, Chadwick Boseman, Rami Malek turn up the heat</a>

The 91st Academy Awards kickstarted on a glamorous note as Hollywood biggies arrived at the red carpet. From Best Actor nominee Rami Malek to Chadwick Boseman who starred in the hit film 'Black Panther', the boys gave the girls a stiff competition.&nbsp;

Trump says he is delaying tariff increase on Chinese goods The United States is delaying a planned increase of tariffs on more than $200 billion in Chinese exports after both sides hailed "substantial progress" made in trade talks.

Trump says he is delaying tariff increase on Chinese goods The United States is delaying a planned increase of tariffs on more than $200 billion in Chinese exports after both sides hailed "substantial progress" made in trade talks. US President Donald Trump also said Sunday that he planned to hold a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Florida estate Mar-a-Lago to ink a deal. Oscars 2019, Live: India-based 'Period: End Of Sentence' wins best documentary short award Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga get a standing ovation as they sing a mesmerising version of 'Shallow' from their film 'A Star Is Born'. Give peace a chance: Imran Khan to PM Modi Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday asked his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to "give peace a chance" and assured him that he "stands by" his words and will "immediately act" if New Delhi provides Islamabad with "actionable intelligence" on the Pulwama attack. Pope vows to battle child sex abuse by Catholic church but fails to appease victims Pope Francis on Sunday vowed to tackle every single case of sexual abuse by priests, comparing paedophilia to "human sacrifice", but drew an angry response from victims. Oscars red carpet: Jennifer Lopez, Chadwick Boseman, Rami Malek turn up the heat The 91st Academy Awards kickstarted on a glamorous note as Hollywood biggies arrived at the red carpet. From Best Actor nominee Rami Malek to Chadwick Boseman who starred in the hit film 'Black Panther', the boys gave the girls a stiff competition.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pope-compares-child-sex-abuse-to-human-sacrifice-199347">Pope Francis</a> on Sunday vowed to tackle every single case of sexual abuse by priests, comparing paedophilia to "human sacrifice", but drew an angry response from victims.

As the pope promised an "all-out battle" against abusive priests at the end of the landmark Vatican summit on the issue, his critics dismissed his speech as a "stunning letdown".

And when he blamed the Devil for abuse in the Church, one victim described his comments as "pastoral 'blah-blah'".

In his closing address to top bishops, he also insisted the Church was not the only place children were assaulted.

"If in the Church there should emerge even a single case of abuse -– which already in itself represents an atrocity -– that case will be faced with the utmost seriousness," Francis promised.

"I am reminded of the cruel religious practice, once widespread in certain cultures, of sacrificing human beings – frequently children – in pagan rites," he said.

The sexual abuse of minors was "a widespread phenomenon in all cultures and societies", Francis said, as he denounced priests who prey on children as "tools of Satan".

"I make a heartfelt appeal for an all-out battle against the abuse of minors both sexually and in other areas... for we are dealing with abominable crimes that must be erased from the face of the earth," he said.

Children must be "protected from ravenous wolves", he said, adding: "We stand face to face with the mystery of evil".

Fresh action promised&nbsp;

The scandals have hit countries around the world, with lives devastated from Australia to Chile, Germany and the US.

Pope Francis had opened the four-day meeting by calling for "concrete measures" against child sex abuse and handing 114 senior bishops a roadmap to shape the debate on tackling paedophile priests.

The pope will issue "a new Motu Proprio" on the "protection of minors and vulnerable persons", summit moderator Federico Lombardi said after the pope's speech.

"Motu Proprios" are legal documents issued under the pope's personal authority, and this one will "strengthen prevention and the fight against abuse on the part of the Roman Curia and Vatican City State," he said.

Francis also wants to create "task forces" to help local parishes fight clerical paedophilia and the Vatican will draw up guidelines for bishops on dealing with abuse cases, he added.

'Stunning letdown'&nbsp;

The meeting was marked by soul-seeking and self-recrimination by the Church, and horror stories from abuse victims.

But the 82-year-old pontiff had warned victims to lower their expectations, saying much of the work would be done after the summit.&nbsp;

"Pope Francis's talk today was a stunning letdown, a catastrophic misreading of the grief and outrage of the faithful," said Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability.

"If the powerful testimonies of the past week moved the needle in the right direction, the pope today moved it back," she said.

Swiss victim Jean-Marie Furbringer said: "Honestly it's a pastoral 'blah-blah', saying it's the fault of the Devil".

"It talks about the Devil, it talks about evil... There is no talk about permanently excluding child rapists and abusers who are employees of the Church," said Britain's Peter Saunders, a victim who resigned from a Vatican advisory commission on combating abuse.

Vatican specialist Marco Politi told AFP it would be "crucial to see what happens in the coming months.

"If structures are not put in place to file complaints and address the needs of victims, then the next scandal to break out will not only hit the local church but also the credibility of the pontificate," he said.

In his lengthy speech, Francis said the Church would draw inspiration from the "best practices" in the Seven Strategies for Ending Violence against Children, measures developed under the guidance of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

'Heed their cries'&nbsp;

Those gathered at the Vatican heard testimonies from victims, one of whom was forced to have three abortions after being abused for years by a priest who beat her, while another said he had been molested more than 100 times.

"The echo of the silent cry of the little ones who, instead of finding in them fathers and spiritual guides encountered tormentors, will shake hearts dulled by hypocrisy and by power," Francis said.

"It is our duty to pay close heed to this silent, choked cry," he added.

But Francesco Zanardi, survivor and head of Italian victims' association Rete Abuso, said the Vatican had "lost credibility".

"We wanted to see measures, to see the bishops (guilty of protecting paedophile priests) named. Start by opening the Vatican archives, not by destroying documents. Start handing documents over to the civil authorities," he said.

The Vatican has in the past refused to hand over internal documents about abuse cases to police investigating paedophilia.

German Cardinal Reinhard Marx admitted Saturday that "files that could have documented the terrible deeds and named those responsible were destroyed, or not even created.''

Pope Francis on Sunday vowed to tackle every single case of sexual abuse by priests, comparing paedophilia to "human sacrifice", but drew an angry response from victims.

Pope Francis on Sunday vowed to tackle every single case of sexual abuse by priests, comparing paedophilia to "human sacrifice", but drew an angry response from victims. As the pope promised an "all-out battle" against abusive priests at the end of the landmark Vatican summit on the issue, his critics dismissed his speech as a "stunning letdown". And when he blamed the Devil for abuse in the Church, one victim described his comments as "pastoral 'blah-blah'". In his closing address to top bishops, he also insisted the Church was not the only place children were assaulted. "If in the Church there should emerge even a single case of abuse -– which already in itself represents an atrocity -– that case will be faced with the utmost seriousness," Francis promised. "I am reminded of the cruel religious practice, once widespread in certain cultures, of sacrificing human beings – frequently children – in pagan rites," he said. The sexual abuse of minors was "a widespread phenomenon in all cultures and societies", Francis said, as he denounced priests who prey on children as "tools of Satan". "I make a heartfelt appeal for an all-out battle against the abuse of minors both sexually and in other areas... for we are dealing with abominable crimes that must be erased from the face of the earth," he said. Children must be "protected from ravenous wolves", he said, adding: "We stand face to face with the mystery of evil". Fresh action promised The scandals have hit countries around the world, with lives devastated from Australia to Chile, Germany and the US. Pope Francis had opened the four-day meeting by calling for "concrete measures" against child sex abuse and handing 114 senior bishops a roadmap to shape the debate on tackling paedophile priests. The pope will issue "a new Motu Proprio" on the "protection of minors and vulnerable persons", summit moderator Federico Lombardi said after the pope's speech. "Motu Proprios" are legal documents issued under the pope's personal authority, and this one will "strengthen prevention and the fight against abuse on the part of the Roman Curia and Vatican City State," he said. Francis also wants to create "task forces" to help local parishes fight clerical paedophilia and the Vatican will draw up guidelines for bishops on dealing with abuse cases, he added. 'Stunning letdown' The meeting was marked by soul-seeking and self-recrimination by the Church, and horror stories from abuse victims. But the 82-year-old pontiff had warned victims to lower their expectations, saying much of the work would be done after the summit. "Pope Francis's talk today was a stunning letdown, a catastrophic misreading of the grief and outrage of the faithful," said Anne Barrett Doyle, co-director of BishopAccountability. "If the powerful testimonies of the past week moved the needle in the right direction, the pope today moved it back," she said. Swiss victim Jean-Marie Furbringer said: "Honestly it's a pastoral 'blah-blah', saying it's the fault of the Devil". "It talks about the Devil, it talks about evil... There is no talk about permanently excluding child rapists and abusers who are employees of the Church," said Britain's Peter Saunders, a victim who resigned from a Vatican advisory commission on combating abuse. Vatican specialist Marco Politi told AFP it would be "crucial to see what happens in the coming months. "If structures are not put in place to file complaints and address the needs of victims, then the next scandal to break out will not only hit the local church but also the credibility of the pontificate," he said. In his lengthy speech, Francis said the Church would draw inspiration from the "best practices" in the Seven Strategies for Ending Violence against Children, measures developed under the guidance of the World Health Organisation (WHO). 'Heed their cries' Those gathered at the Vatican heard testimonies from victims, one of whom was forced to have three abortions after being abused for years by a priest who beat her, while another said he had been molested more than 100 times. "The echo of the silent cry of the little ones who, instead of finding in them fathers and spiritual guides encountered tormentors, will shake hearts dulled by hypocrisy and by power," Francis said. "It is our duty to pay close heed to this silent, choked cry," he added. But Francesco Zanardi, survivor and head of Italian victims' association Rete Abuso, said the Vatican had "lost credibility". "We wanted to see measures, to see the bishops (guilty of protecting paedophile priests) named. Start by opening the Vatican archives, not by destroying documents. Start handing documents over to the civil authorities," he said. The Vatican has in the past refused to hand over internal documents about abuse cases to police investigating paedophilia. German Cardinal Reinhard Marx admitted Saturday that "files that could have documented the terrible deeds and named those responsible were destroyed, or not even created.''

Pope vows to battle child sex abuse by Catholic church but fails to appease victims

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pope-compares-child-sex-abuse-to-human-sacrifice-199347">Pope Francis compares child sex abuse to 'human sacrifice', says Church would bring abusers to justice</a>

Pope Francis on Sunday compared the sexual abuse of children to human sacrifice as he addressed the Catholic Church's top bishops at the end of a landmark summit to tackle paedophilia.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/relief-for-homebuyers-gst-on-under-construction-flats-slashed-to-5-affordable-housing-to-attract-1-199371">Relief for homebuyers: GST on under-construction flats slashed to 5%; affordable housing to attract 1%</a>

In a big relief to home buyers, the GST Council Sunday slashed tax rates on under-construction housing properties to 5 per cent without the input tax credit, from the existing 12 per cent, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/as-4-people-die-in-venezuela-border-clashes-juan-guaido-proposes-to-consider-all-options-to-oust-maduro-199344">Venezuela: Guaido urges Washington to consider 'all options' to oust Maduro as 4 </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/as-4-people-die-in-venezuela-border-clashes-juan-guaido-proposes-to-consider-all-options-to-oust-maduro-199344">die</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/as-4-people-die-in-venezuela-border-clashes-juan-guaido-proposes-to-consider-all-options-to-oust-maduro-199344"> in clashes</a>

Troops loyal to President Nicolas Maduro violently drove back foreign aid convoys from Venezuela's border on Saturday, killing four protesters and prompting opposition leader Juan Guaido to propose that Washington consider "all options" to oust him.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/pakistan-should-be-isolated-like-it-happened-with-south-africa-during-apartheid-vinod-rai-199334">Pakistan should be isolated </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/pakistan-should-be-isolated-like-it-happened-with-south-africa-during-apartheid-vinod-rai-199334">like</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/pakistan-should-be-isolated-like-it-happened-with-south-africa-during-apartheid-vinod-rai-199334"> it happened with South Africa during apartheid: Vinod Rai</a>

Committee of Administrators chief Vinod Rai Sunday said the sporting community "needs to ostracise Pakistan" for fomenting terror activities just like South African was banned from international cricket due to the country's policy on apartheid.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-warns-us-sceptics-as-kim-heads-for-vietnam-for-summit-with-trump-199370">North Korea warns US sceptics as Kim heads for Vietnam for </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-warns-us-sceptics-as-kim-heads-for-vietnam-for-summit-with-trump-199370">summit</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-warns-us-sceptics-as-kim-heads-for-vietnam-for-summit-with-trump-199370"> with Trump</a>

North Korea warned President Donald Trump on Sunday not to listen to US critics who were disrupting efforts to improve ties, as its leader, Kim Jong Un, made his way across China by train to a second summit with Trump in Vietnam.

&nbsp;

Pope Francis compares child sex abuse to 'human sacrifice', says Church would bring abusers to justice Pope Francis on Sunday compared the sexual abuse of children to human sacrifice as he addressed the Catholic Church's top bishops at the end of a landmark summit to tackle paedophilia.

Pope Francis compares child sex abuse to 'human sacrifice', says Church would bring abusers to justice Pope Francis on Sunday compared the sexual abuse of children to human sacrifice as he addressed the Catholic Church's top bishops at the end of a landmark summit to tackle paedophilia. Relief for homebuyers: GST on under-construction flats slashed to 5%; affordable housing to attract 1% In a big relief to home buyers, the GST Council Sunday slashed tax rates on under-construction housing properties to 5 per cent without the input tax credit, from the existing 12 per cent, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said. Venezuela: Guaido urges Washington to consider 'all options' to oust Maduro as 4 die in clashes Troops loyal to President Nicolas Maduro violently drove back foreign aid convoys from Venezuela's border on Saturday, killing four protesters and prompting opposition leader Juan Guaido to propose that Washington consider "all options" to oust him. Pakistan should be isolated like it happened with South Africa during apartheid: Vinod Rai Committee of Administrators chief Vinod Rai Sunday said the sporting community "needs to ostracise Pakistan" for fomenting terror activities just like South African was banned from international cricket due to the country's policy on apartheid. North Korea warns US sceptics as Kim heads for Vietnam for summit with Trump North Korea warned President Donald Trump on Sunday not to listen to US critics who were disrupting efforts to improve ties, as its leader, Kim Jong Un, made his way across China by train to a second summit with Trump in Vietnam.

The Roman Catholic Church must repair the "systematic failures" that enabled sexual abuse to take root around the world, and bishops should start policing each other's behaviour, leading cardinals said on Friday.

Cardinals Blase Cupich of Chicago and Oswald Gracias of Mumbai spoke on the second day of a conference of some 200 senior Church officials convened by Pope Francis to confront what he has called the scourge of sexual abuse by the clergy.

"This past year has taught us that the systematic failures in holding clerics of all rank responsible are due in large measure to flaws in the way we interact and communicate with each other," Cupich said.

Various aspects of the sexual abuse crisis made 2018 the worst year for the pope since his election in 2013.

In Chile, all of the country's 34 bishops offered their resignations over a nationwide scandal; Francis's trip to Ireland shone a new light on decades of abuse in the once staunchly Catholic nation; and a damning report by a grand jury in Pennsylvania revealed that priests had sexually abused about 1,000 people over seven decades in that US state alone.

Last week, Theodore McCarrick, once a powerful cardinal in the US Church, was dismissed from the priesthood after the Vatican found him guilty of sexual abuse of minors and adults over decades.

The Church had "to confront the past grave and callous errors of some bishops and religious superiors in addressing cases of clergy sexual abuse, and the discernment to understand how to establish just accountability for these massive failures," Cupich said.

Problematic behaviour

At the start of the conference on Thursday, five victims told painful stories of abuse and cover-up and the pope said they could expect concrete measures to come out of the meeting.

Victims groups have complained that while some priests who sexually abused children were eventually disciplined by the Church and sentenced by civil authorities, the bishops who either enabled the abuse or it covered up have not been punished.

In what appeared to be a reference to the McCarrick case, Cardinal Gracias said bishops should "fraternally correct" each other.

"Do we really engage in an open conversation and point out honestly to our brother bishops or priests when we notice problematic behaviour in them?" he said.

Before proof of McCarrick's child sex abuse decades ago was discovered last year, his sexual misconduct with adult men studying for the priesthood and his abuse of power over them was an open secret in the US Church.

Critics have asked how McCarrick could have risen to become archbishop of Washington, DC from 2001-2006 while many allegedly knew of his misconduct with adults.

Pope Francis ordered a "thorough study" last year of all documents concerning McCarrick. The four US dioceses where he served - New York, Metuchen, Newark, and Washington - have launched independent investigations.

The conference ends on Sunday when the pope will make a final speech. The Vatican says it will then formulate follow-up measures to make sure all bishop return home knowing how to put anti-abuse procedures into place.

The Roman Catholic Church must repair the "systematic failures" that enabled sexual abuse to take root around the world, and bishops should start policing each other's behaviour, leading cardinals said on Friday.

The Roman Catholic Church must repair the "systematic failures" that enabled sexual abuse to take root around the world, and bishops should start policing each other's behaviour, leading cardinals said on Friday. Cardinals Blase Cupich of Chicago and Oswald Gracias of Mumbai spoke on the second day of a conference of some 200 senior Church officials convened by Pope Francis to confront what he has called the scourge of sexual abuse by the clergy. "This past year has taught us that the systematic failures in holding clerics of all rank responsible are due in large measure to flaws in the way we interact and communicate with each other," Cupich said. Various aspects of the sexual abuse crisis made 2018 the worst year for the pope since his election in 2013. In Chile, all of the country's 34 bishops offered their resignations over a nationwide scandal; Francis's trip to Ireland shone a new light on decades of abuse in the once staunchly Catholic nation; and a damning report by a grand jury in Pennsylvania revealed that priests had sexually abused about 1,000 people over seven decades in that US state alone. Last week, Theodore McCarrick, once a powerful cardinal in the US Church, was dismissed from the priesthood after the Vatican found him guilty of sexual abuse of minors and adults over decades. The Church had "to confront the past grave and callous errors of some bishops and religious superiors in addressing cases of clergy sexual abuse, and the discernment to understand how to establish just accountability for these massive failures," Cupich said. Problematic behaviour At the start of the conference on Thursday, five victims told painful stories of abuse and cover-up and the pope said they could expect concrete measures to come out of the meeting. Victims groups have complained that while some priests who sexually abused children were eventually disciplined by the Church and sentenced by civil authorities, the bishops who either enabled the abuse or it covered up have not been punished. In what appeared to be a reference to the McCarrick case, Cardinal Gracias said bishops should "fraternally correct" each other. "Do we really engage in an open conversation and point out honestly to our brother bishops or priests when we notice problematic behaviour in them?" he said. Before proof of McCarrick's child sex abuse decades ago was discovered last year, his sexual misconduct with adult men studying for the priesthood and his abuse of power over them was an open secret in the US Church. Critics have asked how McCarrick could have risen to become archbishop of Washington, DC from 2001-2006 while many allegedly knew of his misconduct with adults. Pope Francis ordered a "thorough study" last year of all documents concerning McCarrick. The four US dioceses where he served - New York, Metuchen, Newark, and Washington - have launched independent investigations. The conference ends on Sunday when the pope will make a final speech. The Vatican says it will then formulate follow-up measures to make sure all bishop return home knowing how to put anti-abuse procedures into place.

At Pope's abuse summit, Church seeks to fix 'systematic failures'

Pope Francis on Thursday handed the world's top Catholic bishops guidelines to shape the debate at a landmark Vatican summit on tackling clerical sex abuse.

"As a help, I would share with you some important criteria formulated by the various episcopal commissions and conferences -- they came from you and I have organised them somewhat," he said as the meeting began.

"They are guidelines to assist in our reflection. They are a simple point of departure that came from you and now return to you. They are not meant to detract from the creativity needed in this meeting," he added.

The Vatican has said any concrete changes will come post-summit when it will "identify the proposals that resulted from the meeting and the tasks that need to be accomplished, so that the proposals are transformed into actual practice".

Maltese Archbishop Charles Scicluna, one of the summit's organisers, described the proposals as "a roadmap for the future development of policy", and said they "govern all aspects of getting it right".

Here are some of the guidelines, some of which may already be in place in some countries, but not others:

- Draw up mandatory codes of conduct for all clerics, &nbsp;service personnel and volunteers, to determine appropriate boundaries in personal relationships. And check their criminal record.

- Flag up the dangers of abuse and its effects, how to recognise signs of abuse and how to report suspected sexual abuse, all in collaboration with parents, teachers, professionals and civil authorities.

- Make it easy for victims to report abuse to an independent body separate from the local church authority.

- Draw up a practical guide which specifies the steps to be taken at key moments when a case emerges.

- Implement common procedures for investigating claims and protecting victims and the rights to defence of those accused.

- Inform civil and church authorities in line with civil and canonical law.

- Periodically revise protocols and rules to ensure a protected environment for minors in all pastoral structures.

- Protection and care for victims.

- Increase awareness of the causes and consequences of abuse through ongoing training of all clerics and religious workers.

- Include lay experts in investigations and canonical trials into sexual abuse or abuse of power.

- Protect the right of presumption of innocence, not publishing the names of the accused until a final verdict is reached.

- Rule that priests and bishops found guilty of the sexual abuse of children be stripped of their ministries.

- Carry out professional psychological evaluations of would-be priests.

- Draw up rules on the transfer of priests or student priests from one diocese or seminary to another.

Pope Francis on Thursday handed the world's top Catholic bishops guidelines to shape the debate at a landmark Vatican summit on tackling clerical sex abuse. "As a help, I would share with you some important criteria formulated by the various episcopal commissions and conferences -- they came from you and I have organised them somewhat," he said as the meeting began.

Pope Francis on Thursday handed the world's top Catholic bishops guidelines to shape the debate at a landmark Vatican summit on tackling clerical sex abuse. "As a help, I would share with you some important criteria formulated by the various episcopal commissions and conferences -- they came from you and I have organised them somewhat," he said as the meeting began. "They are guidelines to assist in our reflection. They are a simple point of departure that came from you and now return to you. They are not meant to detract from the creativity needed in this meeting," he added. The Vatican has said any concrete changes will come post-summit when it will "identify the proposals that resulted from the meeting and the tasks that need to be accomplished, so that the proposals are transformed into actual practice". Maltese Archbishop Charles Scicluna, one of the summit's organisers, described the proposals as "a roadmap for the future development of policy", and said they "govern all aspects of getting it right". Here are some of the guidelines, some of which may already be in place in some countries, but not others: - Draw up mandatory codes of conduct for all clerics, service personnel and volunteers, to determine appropriate boundaries in personal relationships. And check their criminal record. - Flag up the dangers of abuse and its effects, how to recognise signs of abuse and how to report suspected sexual abuse, all in collaboration with parents, teachers, professionals and civil authorities. - Make it easy for victims to report abuse to an independent body separate from the local church authority. - Draw up a practical guide which specifies the steps to be taken at key moments when a case emerges. - Implement common procedures for investigating claims and protecting victims and the rights to defence of those accused. - Inform civil and church authorities in line with civil and canonical law. - Periodically revise protocols and rules to ensure a protected environment for minors in all pastoral structures. - Protection and care for victims. - Increase awareness of the causes and consequences of abuse through ongoing training of all clerics and religious workers. - Include lay experts in investigations and canonical trials into sexual abuse or abuse of power. - Protect the right of presumption of innocence, not publishing the names of the accused until a final verdict is reached. - Rule that priests and bishops found guilty of the sexual abuse of children be stripped of their ministries. - Carry out professional psychological evaluations of would-be priests. - Draw up rules on the transfer of priests or student priests from one diocese or seminary to another.

Pope Francis gives guidelines for concrete change over sex abuse

Vatican to host conference on sex abuse this week

The hidden homosexuality of so much of the Catholic hierarchy has distorted "every aspect of the church", a new book claims.

"In the Closet of the Vatican", a 570-page tome which will be published in 20 countries on Wednesday, claims that four out of five Vatican clerics are gay.

French sociologist Frederic Martel, who spent four years interviewing more than 1,500 priests, bishops and cardinals, said the reflex to hide the "double life" of so much of the clergy has left the church "distorted with shame" and caught in a culture of cover-up.

"The culture of secrecy around the fact that the Vatican is mostly gay is the key to reading much of the moral positions the church has taken up" in the last 50 years, Martel told AFP.

It is a "source of distortion of every aspect of the church", he added.

"I set out to understand how, to quote Pope Francis, the institution has come to be built around lies, double lives and hypocrisy," said the sociologist.

"This lie has had huge consequences," said Martel, from its opposition to family planning to the child abuse scandals.

Pope 'prisoner of system'&nbsp;

"It allows us to understand the misogyny of the clergy, the scandals around the Vatican Bank during the time of Archbishop Marcinkus, the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, and the revolt Pope Francis is now facing," the writer said.

The fact that the Vatican is "an essentially homosexual institution" -- but a closeted one -- accounts for much of the fierce opposition the Pope is now facing as he attempts to reform the hierarchy and its civil service, the Curia, he found.

"The Pope understands the system of which he himself is a prisoner," he argued, citing "his famous phrase, 'Beneath rigidity there is often wickedness and a double life'."

A rule of thumb in the Vatican, Martel said, is "the more a prelate is homophobic in public the more likely he is to be gay in private".

As the sexual revolution gathered pace through the 1960s and 1970s, the church felt "obliged to up its homophobic rhetoric to hide its own secret", added the author, who is also a presenter on French radio. &nbsp;

Abusing priests protected&nbsp;

The most damaging side-effect of the culture of secrecy, he maintained, is the way it has impacted on the child abuse scandals which have shaken the church to the core.&nbsp;

"There is no link whatsoever between sexual abuse and homosexuality," Martel insisted.

"But abuser priests have overwhelmingly been protected by gay bishops who were afraid of scandal and being exposed in the media.

"The church created a culture to hide its gay secret which in the end hid the abuse," Martel argued.

"That is how the system became so perverse and why there is no possibility of reform other than to change the doctrine of chastity for the clergy."

Martel said gay life within the Vatican broke down into roughly five groups. "Non-practising gay clerics who stick by their vows of chastity; those who have gay relationships but struggle with their desires and who self-flagellate, and then those who live with their lovers.

"Often you have cardinals who will be in a relationship with an assistant or a friend, and then there are others who go out and have lovers," he said.

Finally, there was a group "which included two cardinals close to the late John Paul II, who used male prostitutes".

Martel said Pope Francis is more or less "gay-friendly" compared to his predecessors, particularly "when it comes to (not) judging individuals. That said, he is a fiercely opposed to gay marriage".

The hidden homosexuality of so much of the Catholic hierarchy has distorted "every aspect of the church", a new book claims. "In the Closet of the Vatican", a 570-page tome which will be published in 20 countries on Wednesday, claims that four out of five Vatican clerics are gay.

The hidden homosexuality of so much of the Catholic hierarchy has distorted "every aspect of the church", a new book claims. "In the Closet of the Vatican", a 570-page tome which will be published in 20 countries on Wednesday, claims that four out of five Vatican clerics are gay. French sociologist Frederic Martel, who spent four years interviewing more than 1,500 priests, bishops and cardinals, said the reflex to hide the "double life" of so much of the clergy has left the church "distorted with shame" and caught in a culture of cover-up. "The culture of secrecy around the fact that the Vatican is mostly gay is the key to reading much of the moral positions the church has taken up" in the last 50 years, Martel told AFP. It is a "source of distortion of every aspect of the church", he added. "I set out to understand how, to quote Pope Francis, the institution has come to be built around lies, double lives and hypocrisy," said the sociologist. "This lie has had huge consequences," said Martel, from its opposition to family planning to the child abuse scandals. Pope 'prisoner of system' "It allows us to understand the misogyny of the clergy, the scandals around the Vatican Bank during the time of Archbishop Marcinkus, the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, and the revolt Pope Francis is now facing," the writer said. The fact that the Vatican is "an essentially homosexual institution" -- but a closeted one -- accounts for much of the fierce opposition the Pope is now facing as he attempts to reform the hierarchy and its civil service, the Curia, he found. "The Pope understands the system of which he himself is a prisoner," he argued, citing "his famous phrase, 'Beneath rigidity there is often wickedness and a double life'." A rule of thumb in the Vatican, Martel said, is "the more a prelate is homophobic in public the more likely he is to be gay in private". As the sexual revolution gathered pace through the 1960s and 1970s, the church felt "obliged to up its homophobic rhetoric to hide its own secret", added the author, who is also a presenter on French radio. Abusing priests protected The most damaging side-effect of the culture of secrecy, he maintained, is the way it has impacted on the child abuse scandals which have shaken the church to the core. "There is no link whatsoever between sexual abuse and homosexuality," Martel insisted. "But abuser priests have overwhelmingly been protected by gay bishops who were afraid of scandal and being exposed in the media. "The church created a culture to hide its gay secret which in the end hid the abuse," Martel argued. "That is how the system became so perverse and why there is no possibility of reform other than to change the doctrine of chastity for the clergy." Martel said gay life within the Vatican broke down into roughly five groups. "Non-practising gay clerics who stick by their vows of chastity; those who have gay relationships but struggle with their desires and who self-flagellate, and then those who live with their lovers. "Often you have cardinals who will be in a relationship with an assistant or a friend, and then there are others who go out and have lovers," he said. Finally, there was a group "which included two cardinals close to the late John Paul II, who used male prostitutes". Martel said Pope Francis is more or less "gay-friendly" compared to his predecessors, particularly "when it comes to (not) judging individuals. That said, he is a fiercely opposed to gay marriage".

Four out of five Vatican clerics are gay, says French sociologist Frederic Martel

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/dont-fight-in-front-of-the-kids-pope-francis-190061">Pope Francis</a> debated the potential threats artificial intelligence poses to humanity with the head of Microsoft on Wednesday, ahead of a robotics summit at the Vatican, it said.

"In the wrong hands, every instrument can become a weapon if the organisational power of humanity cannot keep up with the technology itself," Microsoft head Brad Smith said in an interview ahead of the papal meeting.

With Francis he discussed "artificial intelligence at the service of the common good and activities aimed at bridging the digital divide that still persists at the global level," the Vatican said.

The pontiff had urged world leaders gathered in Davos last year to ensure that AI "contribute(s) to the service of humanity and to the protection of our common home, rather than to the contrary".

Smith told the Vatican's L'Osservatore Romano newspaper that "in order to ensure people have confidence in technology, we must think beyond the technology itself".

"We need strong ethical principles, new evolved laws, the training of people with new skills and even labour market reforms".

Microsoft and the Vatican's Pontifical Academy for Life launched an international prize on ethics in artificial intelligence (AI), the academy said.

It will go to the best doctoral dissertation between September 2018 and October 2019 on AI at the service of humanity.

"AI will have an impact on every area of society and will not be created by or used by the technology sector alone. That's why the world must come together to face these problems with a sense of shared responsibility," Smith said.

His visit came ahead of a summit on "Robo-ethics: Humans, Machines and Health" at the Vatican on February 25 and 26.

The workshop will focus on the use of robots and artificial intelligence, specifically in medicine and health care, and how they are having an ever-increasing impact on human lives, relationships, communities and creation.

It will be followed in 2020 by a plenary assembly on artificial intelligence.

Pope Francis debated the potential threats artificial intelligence poses to humanity with the head of Microsoft on Wednesday, ahead of a robotics summit at the Vatican, it said.

Pope Francis debated the potential threats artificial intelligence poses to humanity with the head of Microsoft on Wednesday, ahead of a robotics summit at the Vatican, it said. "In the wrong hands, every instrument can become a weapon if the organisational power of humanity cannot keep up with the technology itself," Microsoft head Brad Smith said in an interview ahead of the papal meeting. With Francis he discussed "artificial intelligence at the service of the common good and activities aimed at bridging the digital divide that still persists at the global level," the Vatican said. The pontiff had urged world leaders gathered in Davos last year to ensure that AI "contribute(s) to the service of humanity and to the protection of our common home, rather than to the contrary". Smith told the Vatican's L'Osservatore Romano newspaper that "in order to ensure people have confidence in technology, we must think beyond the technology itself". "We need strong ethical principles, new evolved laws, the training of people with new skills and even labour market reforms". Microsoft and the Vatican's Pontifical Academy for Life launched an international prize on ethics in artificial intelligence (AI), the academy said. It will go to the best doctoral dissertation between September 2018 and October 2019 on AI at the service of humanity. "AI will have an impact on every area of society and will not be created by or used by the technology sector alone. That's why the world must come together to face these problems with a sense of shared responsibility," Smith said. His visit came ahead of a summit on "Robo-ethics: Humans, Machines and Health" at the Vatican on February 25 and 26. The workshop will focus on the use of robots and artificial intelligence, specifically in medicine and health care, and how they are having an ever-increasing impact on human lives, relationships, communities and creation. It will be followed in 2020 by a plenary assembly on artificial intelligence.

Pope Francis, Microsoft chief Brad Smith discuss ethics of artificial intelligence

The week that was in pictures

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-makes-history-with-muslim-dialogue-in-uae-195068">Pope Francis</a> admitted Tuesday that Catholic priests and bishops had sexually abused nuns, the latest scandal to rock the church.

"There are some priests and also bishops who have done it," the pontiff said in response to a journalist's question on the abuse of nuns, speaking on the return flight from his trip to the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-urges-respect-for-yemen-truce-accord-194830">United Arab Emirates</a>.

The papal admission followed a rare outcry last week from the Vatican's women's magazine over the sexual abuse of nuns, leaving them feeling forced to have abortions or raise children not recognised by their priest fathers.

The issue hit the headlines last year after a nun in Kerala accused a bishop of repeatedly raping her in a case that triggered rare dissent within the country's Catholic Church.

Francis said the problem could be found "anywhere" but was prevalent in "some new congregations and in some regions".

"I think it's still going on because it's not something that just goes away like that. On the contrary," he added.

He said the Church has "suspended several clerics" and the Vatican has been "working (on the issue) for a long time".

"Must do more"

"I don't want to hear it said that the Church has not got this problem, because it has.

"Must we do more? Yes! Do we want to? Yes!" he said.

He said it was a cultural problem, the roots of which lie in "seeing women as a second class".

The February issue of "Women-Church World", a supplement distributed with the Vatican's Osservatore Romano newspaper, warned that nuns have been silent over abuse for decades for fear of retaliation.

It said the Vatican received reports of priests abusing nuns in Africa in the 1990s.

"If the Church continues to close its eyes to the scandal — made even worse by the fact that abuse of women brings about procreation and is therefore at the origin of forced abortions and children who aren't recognised by priests — the oppression of women in the Church will never change," editor Lucetta Scaraffia wrote.

Bishop Franco Mulakkal was arrested on September 21 in Kerala on suspicion of raping the nun in question 13 times between 2014 and 2016.

Pope Francis suspended him the day before his arrest, appointing another bishop in his place. Mulakkal, 53, who headed the diocese of Jalandhar in Punjab, has denied the allegations.

The nun first spoke out in June but police only started formal questioning in September, as fury over the case mounted.

Five nuns — in a rare public show of dissent within the Indian Church — and dozens of supporters staged days of protests.

Failure by Church officials to take action on sexual abuse allegations has been one of the biggest scandals to hit Roman Catholicism globally in recent years.

Pope Francis admitted Tuesday that Catholic priests and bishops had sexually abused nuns, the latest scandal to rock the church. "There are some priests and also bishops who have done it," the pontiff said in response to a journalist's question on the abuse of nuns, speaking on the return flight from his trip to the United Arab Emirates.

Pope Francis admitted Tuesday that Catholic priests and bishops had sexually abused nuns, the latest scandal to rock the church. "There are some priests and also bishops who have done it," the pontiff said in response to a journalist's question on the abuse of nuns, speaking on the return flight from his trip to the United Arab Emirates. The papal admission followed a rare outcry last week from the Vatican's women's magazine over the sexual abuse of nuns, leaving them feeling forced to have abortions or raise children not recognised by their priest fathers. The issue hit the headlines last year after a nun in Kerala accused a bishop of repeatedly raping her in a case that triggered rare dissent within the country's Catholic Church. Francis said the problem could be found "anywhere" but was prevalent in "some new congregations and in some regions". "I think it's still going on because it's not something that just goes away like that. On the contrary," he added. He said the Church has "suspended several clerics" and the Vatican has been "working (on the issue) for a long time". "Must do more" "I don't want to hear it said that the Church has not got this problem, because it has. "Must we do more? Yes! Do we want to? Yes!" he said. He said it was a cultural problem, the roots of which lie in "seeing women as a second class". The February issue of "Women-Church World", a supplement distributed with the Vatican's Osservatore Romano newspaper, warned that nuns have been silent over abuse for decades for fear of retaliation. It said the Vatican received reports of priests abusing nuns in Africa in the 1990s. "If the Church continues to close its eyes to the scandal — made even worse by the fact that abuse of women brings about procreation and is therefore at the origin of forced abortions and children who aren't recognised by priests — the oppression of women in the Church will never change," editor Lucetta Scaraffia wrote. Bishop Franco Mulakkal was arrested on September 21 in Kerala on suspicion of raping the nun in question 13 times between 2014 and 2016. Pope Francis suspended him the day before his arrest, appointing another bishop in his place. Mulakkal, 53, who headed the diocese of Jalandhar in Punjab, has denied the allegations. The nun first spoke out in June but police only started formal questioning in September, as fury over the case mounted. Five nuns — in a rare public show of dissent within the Indian Church — and dozens of supporters staged days of protests. Failure by Church officials to take action on sexual abuse allegations has been one of the biggest scandals to hit Roman Catholicism globally in recent years.

Priests, bishops sexually abused nuns, Pope Francis admits publicly

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The week that was in pictures

Priests, bishops sexually abused nuns, Pope Francis admits publicly