Feminist protest group Femen have staged a demonstration in St Peter's Square after the Pope's Christmas address, grabbing a statue of a newly-born Jesus from the square's nativity scene.

Leader of the Femen movement, Inna Shevchenko, grabbed the statue with the words "God Is Woman" daubed in large letters on her chest.

Ms Shevchenko was immediately detained by a Vatican guard who covered her with his cape before she was escorted to a local police station.

The guard also wrestled the Jesus figurine away from her.

Although the incident occurred well after Pope Francis delivered his Christmas message from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica, thousands of pilgrims were still in the famous square.

Femen has staged similar stunts at the Vatican, including a protest last month over an imminent visit by the pope to the European Parliament.

The three Femen members were wearing only leather mini-skirts and flower garlands in their hair.

One had the slogan "Pope is not a politician" emblazoned across her chest.

On November 24, the day before the pope's visit, a topless Femen activist mounted the altar of the Strasbourg cathedral.

The movement that began in Ukraine to protest the former pro-Kremlin regime also opposes the Catholic Church's positions against abortion and gay marriage, often staging protests in places of worship.

AFP