Two nuns of the Catholic Church, both Africans, have been found pregnant upon return from missionary duties in Africa.

The two women, belonging separate religious Orders in Sicily, are expecting children despite claims of chastity.

One of the two women, age 34, discovered her pregnancy through a medical scan after complaints of persistent stomach pains.

Now deliberating whether or not to give up her monastic life altogether, she has relocated to Palermo in Italy in preparation for the birth of her child.

The other, a Mother Superior from Madagascar, based at an institute which aids “fallen mothers and their children”, discovered she was already several weeks pregnant.

The Church has launched an investigation to determine whether or not their claims of chastity are factual.

A church source in Rome said, “there is consternation at this news. It appears that both women were back in their home nations and obviously had some form of sexual encounter”

“An investigation has been launched. They both breached strict rules of chastity but the welfare of their children is uppermost.”

“The most likely outcome is they will leave their religious service.”

According to Pope Francis, many nuns had been sexually abused, which he referred to as a 'serious, grave problem'. 

'We have to fight this, and also the service of religious sisters: Please: Service yes, servitude no,' he said January.