"Existential schizophrenia, social exhibitionism, spiritual Alzheimer's and lust for power": Pope Francis blasts the Curia - the powerful Vatican Establishment.

"Existential schizophrenia, social exhibitionism, spiritual Alzheimer's and lust for power": Pope Francis blasts the Curia - the powerful Vatican Establishment.

Pope Francis lambasted the Vatican's bureaucracy on Monday, saying some within the Church lusted for power and suffered from "spiritual Alzheimer's" in comments likely to outrage his adversaries.

The Argentine used a Christmas speech to cardinals, bishops and priests to list a catalogue of ailments plaguing the the very top of the Church.

ISIS (Daesh) plots to assasinate Pope Francis

ISIS (Daesh) plots to assasinate Pope Francis

"What has been declared by the self-declared Islamic State is clear. They want to kill the pope. The threats against the pope are credible." -  Habib Al Sadr, Iraq's ambassador to the Holy See, Habib Al Sadr.

ISIS is plotting to assassinate Pope Francis for speaking out against it and supporting United States air strikes on its stronghold.

Security has been tightened in Saint Peter's Square after intelligence services intercepted a possible plan to attack the Vatican, Italian media reported Saturday, increasing fears Pope Francis could be in danger.

"Use of force against ISIS legitimate" - Pope Francis: Use of force to defend Biafra also LEGIMATE

"Use of force against ISIS legitimate" - Pope Francis: Use of force to defend Biafra also LEGIMATE

"It  is legitimate to stop the unjust aggressor." - Pope Francis

Pope Francis has endorsed the use of force by United States and allies to stop ISIS terrorists from massacring Christian minorities in Iraq. The Pope stated that it  is "legitimate to stop the unjust aggressor."

The leader of the Catholic Church however stressed that it should be a joint effort by the international community to stop the radicals who have swept through north and western Iraq, targeting Christians, Shia Muslims and minority sects like the Yazidis.