A documentary on UFC star Conor McGregor and the second heat of MasterChef Ireland are among the homegrown shows over the next few days.

The pope blamed the church’s own sins for the clerical abuse scandal today and called for profound purification to end what he called the “greatest persecution” the church has endured.

The Vatican marks the fifth anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s death this week amid doubts over the miracle needed for him to be made a saint and questions about his record combating paedophile priests.

A conservative religious order that enjoyed the favour of Pope John Paul II has apologised to victims of sexual abuse by its founder.

The Vatican is expected to issue a statement tomorrow concerning its investigation into allegations the Mexican founder of the conservative order Legionaries of Christ sexually abused seminarians decades ago, officials said today.