Pray for me, Pope Francis asks the Church

Pope Francis has asked Catholic religious leaders to pray for him as he serves the church.

“Always pray for me. Do not forget because I need [the prayers] as we work towards doing Christ's will," he told more than 9,000 church leaders at St Austin's church in Nairobi.

According to the Star Newspaper of Kenya, Francis encouraged the cardinals, bishops, priests, nuns and seminarians to stick to their calling despite challenges and temptations.

"When Jesus calls you he doesn't canonise you. You are not perfect so be sure to do his will until the day of Jesus Christ,” he said.

"There is a temptation to follow God out of ambition of money and power. In some it takes root but we must always resist such habits because following him has no room for personal ambition.”

The Pope asked the leaders to serve more as they spread Christ's teachings, especially while dealing with children.

"Don't allow yourselves to be served, but serve and always seek hard answers from Christ because at times we all lack answers for some questions and only Christ can help," he said.