The Pope is under threat from one of Italy’s most feared crime groups because he has spoken out about corruption in the Vatican, it has been said.

It certainly has a ring to it — the new pontiff has picked up the nickname “cold call Pope” due to his penchant for spontaneously ringing people out of the blue.

“A Jesuit intellect and a Franciscan spirit may be exactly the combination of heart and head that the Church needs at this time.”

Researchers commissioned by US Roman Catholic bishops to analyse the pattern of clergy sex abuse over decades have concluded that homosexuality, celibacy and an all-male priesthood did not cause the scandal.