Francis also changed the norms of the office so that the dean would be elected to a five-year term renewable only once.

The group, which included 14 children and teens, arrived in Rome from the Greek island of Lesbos Dec. 4.

Before declaring that a person lived a holy life and is with God in heaven, the pope said, intense investigation is necessary.

In their "ad limina" visit with the pope, the bishops from Ohio and Michigan discussed a wide variety of topics, including the sex abuse crisis and how that impacts the work of priests.

A Jesuit who works for Jesuit Refugee Service in Thailand raised the question of ministry among migrants and refugees.

For more than a year, he has faced questions about how he has addressed the clergy sex abuse crisis.

Archbishop William E. Lori called the meetings "providential."

Pope Francis has given a relic of Jesus' crib to the custody of the Franciscans in the Holy Land, who oversee the churches associated with Jesus' life, death and resurrection.

The bishops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey discussed sexual abuse with Pope Francis in a Thanksgiving Day meeting as part of their ad limina visit.

The pope also urged prayers for all those who endure persecution because of their faith today.