HOLY SPIRIT CHURCH

Pope Francis has removed three cardinals from his informal cabinet, two of whom have been implicated in the Catholic Church's sex abuse and cover-up scandal.

God sends his consolation to those in need of reassurance, even when they are facing death, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis made surprise visits Dec. 7 and 8 to people receiving medical care far from their homes, to a dozen intellectually challenged young people and to the staff of a major Rome newspaper.

Pope Francis has a full schedule of Christmastime liturgies planned for December and January, including the customary baptism of newborn babies Jan. 13, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

Pope Francis on Monday lamented that the poor, the unborn, those imprisoned and those who have been forcibly "disappeared" do not enjoy the same human rights protections as the wealthy.