Pope Francis has chosen the Cardinal Archbishop of Manila as the new Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, reflecting the Pontiff's desire for a missionary church and a greater outreach to Asia.

It is "licit to stop unjust aggressor" Pope tells journalists when asked about Iraq.

Cardinal Filoni is tasked with bringing the Pope's personal message of solidarity as well as financial aid to Iraq's beleaguered Christians.

Fr Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann no longer holds political office and expressed the desire to be able to celebrate the Eucharist again before he dies.