We should prepare for Christmas “by assuming three attitudes”, Pope Francis said at yesterday’s Angelus (full text, full video). Cardinal Bernard Law is “facing his final illness in a Roman hospital”, reports Rocco Palmo. The Pope marked his 81st birthday yesterday with a pizza party for sick children. Fr Anthony Ruff asks if Francis has extended Mgr Guido Marini’s term as papal MC. Adam DeVille argues that we should “reconsider papal centralisation and begin to rid ourselves of it”. Andrea Gagliarducci describes how the Vatican has changed under Francis. And Dave Armstrong explains how Protestant Nativity scenes proclaim Catholic doctrine. Follow me on Twitter @lukecoppen for updates throughout the day.