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Pope Francis meets in the apostolic palace Dec. 19, 2019, with six new ambassadors to the Vatican who were presenting their letters of credential to the pope. The new ambassadors represented Kenya, Niger, Mali, Latvia, Andorra and Seychelles.

New diplomats to Vatican meet with Pope Francis

VATICAN CITY -- Peace requires setting aside indifference and fear so that a feeling of mutual respect may grow and flourish, Pope Francis told diplomats.

Pope Francis leads his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

Pope Francis lifts secrecy obligation for those reporting abuse

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis has abolished the obligation of secrecy for those who report having been sexually abused by a priest and for those who testify in a church trial or process having to do with clerical sexual abuse.

Pope Francis greets an elderly woman as he meets with people of the Banado Norte neighborhood in Asuncion, Paraguay, in this July 12, 2015, file photo. On Dec. 16, 2019, the eve of his 83rd birthday, Pope Francis met with a group of his peers, although many were a few years younger, and told them that "old age is a time of grace."

Old age is time of grace, Pope Francis tells elderly peers

VATICAN CITY -- On the eve of his 83rd birthday, Pope Francis met with a group of his peers -- although many were a few years younger -- and told them that "old age is a time of grace."

Pope Francis accepts a gift during an audience with a group of international performers at the Vatican Dec. 13, 2019. The performers, including U.S. singer Lionel Richie, were scheduled to perform at the Vatican's Christmas concert the next day.

People's hearts yearn for God, not possessions, Pope Francis says

VATICAN CITY -- The Christmas season is a time to reflect on what life is all about, Pope Francis told an international group of performers.

Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes.

Causes for sainthood require thorough investigation, Pope Francis says

VATICAN CITY -- The saints are "the true light of the church," so before they are proposed to all Catholics for imitation and veneration, a scrupulous investigation is required, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis prays as he leads a prayer service at a Marian statue overlooking the Spanish Steps in Rome Dec. 8, 2019, the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Pope Francis prays for 'Normandy Summit'

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis offered prayers for a summit in France that will seek to bring an end to the ongoing war in eastern Ukraine.

Pope Francis meets with Jesuits in Tha Kham, Thailand, Nov. 22, 2019, during his apostolic trip to the Asian country. In his customary question-and-answer session with his Jesuit confreres, Pope Francis spoke about resistance to addressing climate change and about hostility to migrants and refugees.

Pope Francis 'scandalized' by anti-migrant rhetoric

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis told Jesuits in Thailand he was "scandalized" by some of the anti-migrant rhetoric he hears in Europe, and he is convinced people are being manipulated into thinking the only way they can preserve their lifestyles is by building walls.

The Christmas tree sparkles after a lighting ceremony in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Dec. 5, 2019.

Vatican unveils Nativity scene, lights Christmas tree

VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican unveiled the Nativity scene and lit the Christmas tree with energy-saving lights in St. Peter's Square during a late afternoon ceremony Dec. 5.

The dome of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

Pope Francis, council of cardinals discuss greater role for lay men and women

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis and his international Council of Cardinals reviewed aspects of the draft of the apostolic constitution that would govern the Roman Curia, including a greater role for lay men and women.

Pope Francis embraces a woman as he greets disabled people during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican April 9, 2014. In a letter marking the U.N.'s International Day of Persons with Disabilities Dec. 3, 2019, the pope said humanity needs to "develop antibodies against a culture that considers some lives as class A and others as class B; this is a social sin!"

Defend dignity of persons with disabilities, Pope Francis says

VATICAN CITY -- The dignity and rights of people with disabilities are increasingly threatened by a society that discriminates and views them as a burden, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis accepts offertory gifts as he celebrates a Mass for the Congolese Catholic community in Rome in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 1, 2019. The Mass included elements of Congolese culture.

Pope Francis celebrates Mass with Congolese at St. Peter's

VATICAN CITY -- The sounds of ululations and drums and a litany of saints filled St. Peter's Basilica Dec. 1 as Pope Francis celebrated Mass according to what is commonly called the Zairean Rite.

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