Catholic Secretariat denies Pope’s resignation

The Uganda Episcopal Conference has called on the public to ignore a video circulating on some social media platforms claiming that Pope Francis has announced his resignation.

According to a press statement issued on Monday evening by Bishop John Baptist Odama the chairman of Uganda Episcopal Conference, the Holy Father has not given any indication of resignation and as a matter of fact, he is currently on his apostolic journey to Peru and Chile.

“I would like to bring to the attention of the public that there is a fake video being circulated on social media alleging that His Holiness Pope Francis has announced his resignation,” the statement reads adding, “This is an absolute lie and it must be treated with the contempt it deserves.”

He urged the public to visit www.vatican.va to get official information pertaining to the papacy.

Pope Francis arrived in Santiago Monday night and was received by leftist President Michelle Bachelet -- an agnostic who has faced down conservative opposition, including from the Church, to spearhead social reform.

Bachelet's socialist government has ushered in recognition of same-sex civil unions, decriminalized abortion and introduced a bill on same-sex marriage.

Bachelet, who will meet Francis on Tuesday, has called on Chileans to welcome the pope, though a positive reception may not be universal.

The once-dominant Catholic Church has seen its influence decline, never more so than now, in the aftermath of a wave of sexual abuse scandals involving priests.

After his arrival in Santiago, the 81-year-old pontiff moved with his delegation to the parish of San Luis Beltran to pay homage to the "Bishop of the Poor" figure.

He then boarded the "Popemobile" for the drive to the Vatican property where he will spend three nights while in Chile.

The spiritual highlight of Francis's visit will take place Tuesday -- a giant open-air mass for some 400,000 pilgrims at the city's O'Higgins Park.

Several groups protested near Argentina's embassy over the cost of the trip, including a group of people who climbed onto a crane, an incident that led to five arrests.

Other demonstrations against sex abuse in the Church and from members of the gay community were expected, amid heightened security.