Pope Francis opens a three-week meeting of Catholic bishops later - which has already been overshadowed by the sacking of a gay priest.

The Vatican insists Monsignor Krzystof Charamsa was dismissed because of the timing of his coming out, rather than his homosexuality.

The 43-year-old - who announced he had a male partner yesterday - has urged the Catholic church to change its stance on gay bishops.

AFP reports a spokesperson for Pope Francis has described the priest's actions as "very serious and irresponsible."

The Synod of Bishops meanwhile is taking place in Rome from today until October 25th, with the theme of 'the vocation and the mission of the family in the Church and contemporary world'.

Archbishops Eamon Martin and Diarmuid Martin will be representing Ireland at the event.

The aim of an ordinary synod, which are held at fixed intervals, is for bishops to have "the opportunity to interact with each other and to share wisdom, information and experiences, in the common pursuit of pastoral solutions which have a universal validity and application".

The synod will be attended by 166 members elected by national bishops' conferences, along with heads of Eastern Catholic churches, Vatican congregations, and men's religious orders.

18 married couples from around the world are also expected to attend.