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A woman pulls Pope Francis' hand as he greets people while walking to visit the Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Dec. 31, 2019. At his Jan. 1 Angelus the pope apologized for the "bad example" he gave when he slapped this woman's hand.

Pope Francis apologizes for 'incident' with woman in St. Peter's Square

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis began the New Year with an apology for losing his patience the night before with a woman who grabbed his hand and yanked him closer to her while he was greeting people in St. Peter's Square.

Pope Francis speaks as he leads a prayer service on New Year's Eve in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 31, 2019.

God is at work in the world, Pope Francis says at prayer service closing 2019

VATICAN CITY -- God sent his only begotten son into the world, where he continues to dwell in the hearts of men and women, "urging them to believe, to hope despite everything, and to love by working for the good of all," Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis greets the crowd as he leads his Christmas message and blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world) from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 25, 2019.

Urbi et Orbi: May Christ soften hard hearts to bring peace

VATICAN CITY -- The light of peace, hope and salvation brought into the world with the birth of Jesus is stronger than the darkness of war and despair, but spreading that light requires the cooperation of every person of good will, Pope Francis said in his Christmas address.

Pope Francis speaks during his annual audience to give Christmas greetings to members of the Roman Curia at the Vatican Dec. 21, 2019.

'Christendom no longer exists,' Pope Francis says, explaining revamp to Curia

VATICAN CITY -- The ongoing reform of the Roman Curia is a necessary part of the Catholic Church's fidelity to its mission to proclaim the Gospel, recognizing that very few countries today can be described as "Christian" and that new ways of evangelizing are necessary, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis greets Cardinal Angelo Sodano, now dean emeritus of the College of Cardinals, during his annual audience to give Christmas greetings to members of the Roman Curia at the Vatican Dec. 21, 2019. The pope has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Sodano as dean of the College of Cardinals. The pope changed the norms to specify that the dean would be elected to a five-year term, renewable once, instead of being elected for life or until choosing to resign.

Pope Francis sets term of office for dean of College of Cardinals

VATICAN CITY -- After accepting the resignation of 92-year-old Cardinal Angelo Sodano as dean of the College of Cardinals, Pope Francis changed the norms of the office so that the dean would be elected to a five-year term renewable only once.

Pope Francis shares a light moment with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during a private audience at the Vatican Dec. 20, 2019.

Pope Francis records video of Christmas wishes with U.N. chief

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis and the secretary-general of the United Nations said that, like millions of people around the world, during the Christmas season their thoughts turn to yearnings for peace and for the well-being of those in need.

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.

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