Pope Francis is warning Catholic vistors to Rome not to be duped by fraudsters trying to take advantage of them during the Church's Holy Year celebrations. 

Salvation can't be bought and the path to Jesus has no price tag.

That's the message from Pope Francis, who's cautioning the Catholic Church's billion-strong community to be wary of hucksters and fraudsters trying to take advantage of them during year-long celebrations in the Church called the Jubilee.

"Be careful. Beware anyone who might be a little fast and very clever who tells you you have to pay. No. You don't pay for salvation. You can't buy salvation. The door is Jesus and Jesus is free," Pope Francis said.

The warning came as Italian police confiscated 3,500 counterfeit parchments purporting to bare blessings from the pope.

They were being sold to unsuspecting pilgrims coming to Rome for the so-called Holy Year.

Holy Year celebrations began last week.

This year's theme centers on mercy, compassion and forgiveness although for the pontiff crime awareness should also be kept in mind.  — Reuters