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.