A specially-recruited group of priests and monks - with enhanced powers of forgiveness - have begun a year-long mission to absolve the sins of Roman Catholics in some of the furthest-flung corners of the world.

To mark the Vatican's Year of Mercy, the missionaries of mercy have been given licence by Pope Francis to forgive transgressions which normally only the Pope himself can pardon.

Here are more details on the so-called super-confessors, tasked with taking their message far and wide.

Video produced by Michael Hirst