Pope Francis has set up an advisory board of eight cardinals from around the world to help him govern the Catholic Church and to help him reform it.

Briefing journalists Saturday the head of the Holy See press office, Rev. Federico Lombardi, said the communiqué came exactly one month since Pope Francis' election following the February 11 resignaton of his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI.

He said it shows that Pope Francis "listens attentively" to the suggestions of the College of Cardinals – his closest collaborators.

The formation of the group came after reading the mood of cardinals at the conclave that elected the pontiff on March 13. That meeting took place behind closed doors.

The Vatican spokesman also noted that the group will have no legislative power and that its main function is to "help" and "advise" the Pope.

Lombardi also noted the advisers would in no way interfere in the normal functions of the Roman Curia, the body responsible for daily governance of the Vatican and the Catholic Church.

Some critics of Catholic Church governance have cited the Italian-dominated Curia as bureaucracy that is not transparent enough and that has become weighed down by cronyism.

One of the advisers, Australian George Pell has criticised the closed operations of the Curia.

The eight cardinals will help Francis effect changes in administration the Vatican statement said.

During the eight year papacy of Pope Benedict the Catholic Church faced failures to deal with sex scandals and was also afflicted with governance issues at the Vatican.

The statement from the Vatican statement said the group would advise in "the governing of the universal Church" and help in making administrative changes.

The eight advisors come from Australia, Chile, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Germany, Honduras, India, Italy, and the United States.

The group will meet for the first time on October 1, but the Vatican said Pope Francis is currently in touch with the members.

The group consists of: