Pope extends stamp on Church with new ministry for human development

Pope Francis on Wednesday announced the creation of a new Vatican ministry for human development in the latest move by the reforming pontiff to put his personal stamp on the Catholic church. The new Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development is being established by papal decree and 

will start work on January 1.

Francis is to retain personal oversight of Vatican policy on migration, an issue dear to his heart. The new ministry is being created by merging four existing departments dealing with justice, health, development and migrants and itinerant people.

The move is part of Francis's drive to streamline the Vatican bureacracy and put efforts to defend and support the most vulnerable at the heart of the Church's mission.

"This Dicastery will be competent particularly in issues regarding migrants, those in need, the sick, the excluded and marginalized, the imprisoned and the unemployed, as well as victims of armed conflict, natural disasters, and all forms of slavery and torture," Francis said.