Pope Francis’s relentless pace on his tour of Brazil is wearing out his aides.

Pope Benedict XVI summoned his bishops from across Latin America to Brazil’s most holy landmark today to direct them in the battle to keep Catholicism the dominant religious force in the region.

Pope Benedict XVI has today stressed church opposition to abortion minutes after arriving in Brazil today.

Pope Benedict XVI departs today on his first pilgrimage to Latin America – a test of the 80-year-old pontiff’s stamina and how he intends to deal with pressing challenges to his church in the region.