Francis' characterisation of the Armenian massacres as 'genocide' will "accelerate" moves for the ancient Christian cathedral of Hagia Sophia to be turned into a mosque again.
Pope Francis announced that there will be some changes in the Catholic Church this Holy Year in a document presented during a ceremony in front of the Holy Door at St Peter's Basilica on Sunday.
Pope Francis called on the world to give tangible help to persecuted Christians on Monday, highlighting the plight of people he described as modern "martyrs" after nearly 150 people were killed by Islamist militants in Kenya.
Pope Francis prayed for an end to the persecution of Christians in his Easter Sunday address, commemorating the students massacred by Islamist militants at Garissa University in Kenya.
The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Pope will today issue a powerful call today on behalf of all Christians persecuted by Islamic militants worldwide.