Gluten-free bread ban

Vatican bans gluten-free bread for Holy Communion

In a letter to bishops, Cardinal Robert Sarah the bread - known as the host - was allowed to be low-gluten.

But he said there must be enough protein in the wheat to make it without additives.

The new rules were needed because the bread was now sold in supermarkets and on the internet, the cardinal said.

Roman Catholics believe bread and wine served at the Eucharist are converted into the body and blood of Christ through a process known as transubstantiation.