Italian nun: 'I got a phone call from Pope Francis'

As Pope Francis prepares to celebrate the first Christmas of his pontificate, Roman Catholics say he has transformed the image of their church.

Many point to the Pope's willingness to look beyond human frailty and concentrate on the Christian values of compassion and forgiveness.

Pope Francis is also popular for his simplicity and humility - refusing to live in the papal apartment or wear elaborate clothes, using a small car for travel around Rome, and for making his own phone calls.

One of those who can testify to the Pope's direct style is Sister Teresa, of the Daughters of St Anne, who is campaigning against the dumping of toxic waste by the Mafia on the outskirts of Naples, which she blames for hundreds of extra deaths from cancer in the area.

Sister Teresa was teaching at her school in Casal di Principe when she received a call on a long number she did not recognise, as she explained to the BBC's Religion Correspondent Robert Pigott.