if you look about the vatican bank, the much beleaguered vatican bank for all of those years.with pope francis he revamps it. from the vatican bank. he call the other commission for sex abuse. everybody was saying not enough was done from the top with the sex abuse scandal. he calls the commission including lay people and they're going to address the sex abuse scandal in ways that it has not yet been addressed. he picked eight cardinal advisers. the gang of eight as they're known who met once. they'll meet again in october and they'll talk about marriage and family. so this is an important issue because divorce and remarried people cannot receive communion. pope francis has hinted, we have to talk about this. there is a lot of alienation and hurt over divorce and remarriage. so these are very ordinary down to earth substantive issues in the lives of real people and francis is tackling them. >> what do you think about this? is there a possibility in a way, this is reason why so many people have such a positive opinion of the pope. there are still other people who feel that perh

. >> he has gone after corruption another the vatican bank, and moved some high protile people out of positions there at the vatican. polls show him seen favorably, but when you look at the hierarchy of the church, is he 92% popular? >> well, i don't know. but remember that this conclave elected him, and one of the things they really wanted to do -- most of the cardinals talked about this before his election, was to clean up the vatican bank and reform the curi curia. and i think he is right in line with what they hoped and expected him to do. >> he surprised everyone when he talked about homosexuals by saying . . . but that's a major change from pope benedict who said that homosexuality is quote . . . on the other hand francis objected to women becoming priests saying . . . so is this all an indication that there are policy changes coming or just a change in the church's tone? >> well, i think it's a decided change in the church's tone, which is a change. i think it's very important to see that even a change in the church's tone signifies a new way of talking to people which will cha

more scrutiny at the vatican bank.ch's bureaucratic structure and a commission to deal with the abuse of minors to name a few. >> it tends to be a surprise because he does things that are normal but are very abnormal in terms of the papacy. he brought three homeless men into the place where he's living to have breakfast with him on his birthday. >> reporter: the festivities began on saturday with his christmas message. pope francis urged the church's governing body to avoid gossip and to focus on service and then practiced what he preached spending three hours at a local hospital bringing christmas cheer to sick children. for the fundraiser time ever on monday two living popes exchanged christmas greetings. francis met with benedict for 45 minutes. st. peter's basilica is the place to be on christmas eve. pope francis will celebrate the traditional mass. this year there were a record number of requests to attend. and then on christmas day, tens of thousands of pilgrims will flood st. peter's square to hear his message

the vatican bank, the refocus on poverty is actually a part of that. it is really like, we have to take the mission of the church and make it what it has to be, whether we want to or not. when there is a problem with accountability in all sorts of institutions, that example is really important. >> i think there is really a kind of power of symbolism versus substance debate here. the pope's symbolism has been really amazing. and some of the most powerful symbolism i've ever seen, the embrace of the man with the boils on his face, an iconic move, really made me tear up and connected me to the best elements of what i was raised in. which was kind of this social justice catholicism. the kind of striking of the cue ball that hit the table, the edward snowden leaks -- >> i mean, absolutely, we can't take away the pope's quotes, the tyranny of capitalism that the financial system rules and doesn't serve. that is critical. what actually happens with the catholic church is something else. and we have to watch that. >> and what happens there is a question mark.

the catholic church pretty much focused on the sex abuse scandal and focused on things like the vatican bank. how much -- those conversations still exist, but really he has changed that will conversation to other things. how much impact, broad impact has he had on the church and what people the faithful and otherwise think of it? >> i think the impact has been great. we've gone from being perceived as a church of,000 shalttle not to a church that you shall and you should and you will because he's taking a proactive stance about where the church needs to be in its mission, serving the boar, embracing the outcasts, that line on the plane when he was asked about gay folk. he said who am i to judge. and i mean, that rebounds, rebounded across the world because this was a pope for the first time saying the word gay, by the way, and not in a disparaging comment, but in an inclusive one. and i think that that will be what will continue with this pope. >> what's amazing, he really does lead by example. very humble life. you know, he's walking along. he's helping -- he meets and greets people. >> pic

he's got the ongoing reform, a tough clean-up operation at the vatican bank and so on.ternalernal front, a highly anticipated trip to israel and the palestinian territories in may. as he indicated this morning, he wants to continue to be engaged on the syria crisis and so on. but look, i think the big picture is this. i think what pope francis has already accomplished in nine months is that he has become a point of reference not just for the 1.2 billion catholics around the world, he's become one of the towering moral authorities on the world stage period. in a way, he's become almost the new nelson mandela. he's amazed an enormous amount of political capital, good will and moral credibility. i think the dramatic of 2014 in going forward is how does he choose to spend that to try to make a difference particularly on behalf of those people he loves so much, the poor and those at the margins. >> yeah. i think that's an important word, credibility. he certainly does have that touch, that knack of connecting with people all around the world. john, we're going to leave it th

vatican. the banking scandal, all kinds of things.not pretend to be an expert on this, but i know from our correspondents abroad, he is doing something that no other pope in modern times has done. in the soul image of the good shepherd and that touches everyone in a way that has not happened in a long time. that is why he deserves to be man of the year. " will bee washington closing up shop next week after 25 years. the decision was not posed on us, it was my decision. manylebrate, we invited people but they turned us down. instead we will be led by our drill team with colby king and mark s shields. that is the last word for this week. [ male announcer ] this holiday season, you're getting all the best devices,, which means you need the best network k to support them. and once you've got 100% fiber optic verizon fios, you get it -- america's fastest, most reliable internet. i was streaming videos, movies, music. once i realized how fast it was, that's when i got it. [ male annncer ] this holiday season, get the most from your new w de

more scrutiny at the vatican bank, changes to the church's bureaucratic structure, and a commission to deal with the abuse of minors. and that's to name a few. >> he tends to be a surprise because he does things that are normal but are very abnormal in terms of the papacy. he brought three homeless men noon the place where he's living to have breakfast with him on his birthday. >> the festivities began on saturday with his christmas message to the curia. he urged the church's governing body to avoid gossip and to focus on service. and then he practiced what he preached. spending three hours at a local hospital bringing christmas cheer to sick children. for the first time ever on monday, two living popes exchanged christmas greetings. francis met with benedict for 45 minutes. ♪ >> st. peter's basilica is the place to be on christmas eve. pope francis will celebrate the traditional mass. this year, there were a record number of requests to attend. and then on christmas day, tens of thousands of pilgrims will flood st. peter's square to hear his message to the world. >> people are listeni

in depth about the fact that he has not only spoken about this, but cracked down, audited the vatican bank, looked for more transparency, looked to the social issues as a balance -- as jonathan capehart is talking about. how does all of that truck with the idea among his followers that he's infallible. >> well, infallibility aside, that's a very specific element of the pope's teaching authority. he's reaching millions of people and inspiring a culture. unfortunately, that message isn't necessarily being embraced by even leaders within the catholic church. we know, you know, for example, there are a number of american catholic bishops who are in many ways questioning his leadership. and that speaks to the double standard that you all just discussed. you know, just yesterday, there was a bishop in rhode island who on the occasion of nelson mandela's funeral, started to talk about the church's social teachings on abortion. and really calling nelson mandela shameful. this is not what pope francis wants the church to be known for. and it shows how much of an attitude adjustment that is still ne

nine months ago talking about the church we were talking about pedophile priest scandals and vatican bank stories have gone away, today the dominant story about the catholic church is rock star pope takes the world by storm. if that's not a rev luse, i'm not sure we've ever seen one. >> john allen, thanks so much for covering your perspective. appreciate it. >>> still to come on "new day" the world's oldest profession -- you know what it is -- it just got a little easier up north. >> we'll tell you by why call girls in chili canada are warming up the legal system. ♪ call me call me ♪ call me any time with new fee you can fill that box and pay one flat rate. how naughty was he? oh boy... [ male announcer ] fedex one rate. simple, flat rate shipping with the reliability of fedex. you give them the giggles. tylenol cold® helps relieve your worst cold and flu symptoms. but for everything we do, we know you do so much more. tylenol cold®. this is the creamy chicken corn chowder. i mean, look at it. so indulgent. did i tell you i am on the... [ both ] chicken pot pie diet! me too! [ male announ

compliant term financial group is revamping the vatican bank 19,000 accounts. pope francis's predecessor benedict xvi was tight-lipped about the church's in working as trying criticism for its murky financial practice. connell: tomorrow business today, robots taking our jobs and now maybe replacing our what a story today. zoos. the experimental architecture for minimum for the creating a petting zoo exhibit that replaces rabbits and goats and the like with slinky like robots that hang from the ceiling. the company's pet 3 acumen tangentially range of the motion that are playful and angry or bored or confused, depends how the visitor treats them and partner the technology behind the zoo are a series of microsoft connect cameras observing would be patter's's movements. a crazy thing. the zoo's founders say any living animal, the longer the pet is a lot of the more it learns. dagen: i have no idea. don't have to worry about a llama splitting in your face. connell: very concerned about that. dagen: that would happen. partial delay in the individual mandate, talking

vatican bank. it -- >> i hear what you're saying.e hypocritical. >> many priests and nuns who work with the poor personally told me they find that to be a problem. in other words you and i talked about jesus would be at local starbucks. tracy: hanging out. >> not in a big swanky building. let's return back to the issue at hand. what is the best way to help the poor? capitalism, right? in fact pope john paul had talked about that too. also pope john paul, conservative pope, had talked about the best way to get people up in their standards of living is through capitalism. in fact one of his big cyclicals was about that. tracy: matt, last to you. >> this is interesting pope. i'm glad we're talking about that. i hope we don't necessarily see as we saw in "new york" magazine and pope and deblasio's statements interchangeable. they had a quiz online. that is where democratic politics are on in this country. that is to the left where we've seen in more prosperous era for instance under bill clinton. tracy: i hope in the meeting they were de

treasury officials say vatican bank has been corrupted. ssage, mercy and gospels. some is practical institution reform around vatican finances. >> a lot of catholics look at what we think about the last 50 years. there are big mess ups. there were. that needs to be addressed. it was inexcusable it happened. they need to bring a lot of people back. i think he's trying to do that. >> nancy, thank you. congratulations on the issue. we'll look for it. it's openness of the church. catholics like the pope better than they like the catholic church at this point. that tells you something. >> i thought the point she made, five names were unknown to almost everybody a year ago. that was fascinating. >> that is true. >>> when we come back,ingi earl morning and why she says desk tops are not dead. we'll be back on "squawk box" some people think the kind of accountability that thrives on so many streets in this country has gone missing in the places where it's needed most. but i know you'll still find it when you know where to look. (announcer) scottrad

more scrutiny at the vatican bank, changes to the church's bureaucratic structure.ission to deal with the abuse of minors. that's to name a few. >> he tends to be a surprise. because he does things that are normal but are very abnormal in terms of the papacy. he brought three homeless men into the place where he's living to have breakfast with him on his birthday. >> reporter: the festivities began on saturday with his christmas message to the curia. pope frances urged the church's governing body to avoid gossip and focus on service. then he practiced what preached, spending three hours at a local hospital, bringing christmas cheer to sick children. frances met with benedict for 45 minutes on monday. st. peter's basilica is the place to be on christmas eve. pope francis will celebrate the traditional mass. this year there were a record number of requests to attend. and then on christmas day, tens of thousands of mill grimes will flood st. peter's square to hear his message to the world. >> people are listening to him because he's speaking in a language that's not va

there is a reform going on in the vatican bank. and reform in the vatican this year. >> with reform here, father, will we then see more catholics in the pews? according to research that's not happened yet. we're not seeing greater numbers coming to church. >> i think tomorrow will be an excellent example. >> you'll be out there counting? >> i will. but research has shown that these days, like this year there was a poll that said more people were interested in watching "it's a wonderful life" than going to church. i think this pope is turning that around but turning it around my making us a humble, more approachable church. he's saying we who are ordained are not supposed to be power hungry but serving the people of god. >> father, is that the right way to count whether he is indeed bringing in more catholics? you saw the number that we just showed of the 88% of americans supporting what pope francis has done. >> sure. >> is there another way that we should be measuring this, other than people sitting down in the pews? >> sure. what

decorations and holiday lights adorned the west bank for the evening's celebrations. ♪ >> ifill: and at the vaticanhippers filled st. peter's basilica for pope francis's first christmas midnight mass as pontiff. thousands more gathered outside in st. peter's square. u.s. troops in kabul marked the 13th christmas eve for american forces in afghanistan with candles and hymns. ( singing ) but as always, they were missing loved ones. >> so it is difficult, but they, they love me, and they understand that i'm here serving our country and... and so it's, it's really not very easy, but you know it is not easy being away from my family. >> ifill: and far above the planet, astronauts on the international space station performed a rare christmas eve space walk-- only the second in nasa's history. the goal: to replace a faulty cooling system that failed december 11. all this as american shoppers raced against time to find last- minute gifts. >> this is ideal. i mean, you're in, you're out. get great deals, get the wife's last minute christmas gift and you're good. >> ifill: but even a surge of buyers in the c

vatican. tens of thousands gathered for the pope's speech and blessing overlooking the square. in his message he called on people around the world to be peace makers. and in the west bankown of bethlehem, hundreds packed it for midnight mass where christians believe it was born. the top roman cleric in the holy land said he prays for a quote just and equitable solution for the palestinians. >>> they came home from afghanistan just in time for christmas and his second birthday. >>> there is the map, and after serving a tour his christmas wish list is a short one. >> every time i go and come back, my daughter is taller so yes, i look forward to it. >> his daughter didn't know her daddy was coming back and he will be the big christmas present for her. >>> and a play station under your christmas tree, consider yourself one of the lucky ones. those christmas games sold out at most stores and getting them online, it was nearly impossible unless you wanted to pay a huge market. retailers say there are menty. >>> they tell them not to eave what they serve. on the end psych low speed why, it tells employees not to eat fast food and fast food can lead to obesity. it shows they s

bank. your money needs an ally. >>> yesterday we learned that pope francis sneaks out of the vatican at night in plain clothes whiches instead of pope clothes, to accompany one of his bishops to minister to the homeless in the streets of rome. a course told "the huffington post" that the story has been confirmed by swiss guards. >> oh, my god. he's a vigilante vicker coming to the help of those in need. he's the bat pope. holy, holy father nation. it all makes so much sense now. he's just like bruce wayne. he's a wealthy bachelor who lives alone in a giant mansion. and bruce wayne has the bat mobile while francis has the popemobile. not only that, batman talks to morgan freeman and the pope talks to god who is also morgan freeman. and -- and -- just like the bat suit, the pope suit has nipples. >> last week, the vatican released pope francis' first papal wrote, i encourage financial experts and political leaders to ponder the words of one of the sages of antiquity, not to share one's wealth with the poor is to steal from them and take away their livelihood. it is not our own goods which we hold, but theirs. pope fr

vatican. >> and let's take a look at other christmas celebrations around the world. thousands of christians packed the town of bethlehem in the west bankistmas celebrations. a top roman catholic leader in the holy land said the message of christmas is peace, love, and brotherhood. the church of nativity is the birthplace of jesus. in tacloban, church goers remembered those lost to lant month's deadly hurricane. they relied on candlelight because electricity is not fully restored. >>> in australia, revelers celebrating in the is surf on the sand. santa parked those reindeer and he padded around in flip-flops to deliver gifts and good cheer. i think he was holding a beer there actually. >>> in china, christmas is not so much a religious holiday as it is a wacky excuse to celebrate. kind of like st. patrick's day here in the u.s. but china's government does take pride in its massive exports of toy oz saying without its cheap products, americans couldn't enjoy the piles of gifts unite the tree. >>> coming up, heat waves, hurricanes and tornadoes like this one. we'll be counting down the top ten weather events of 2013. what you wear to bed