In his homily on New Year’s eve,, the pope said God gave to us a “whole and sound” year, but “we humans in so many ways ruined and hurt it.”

Pope Francis has already attracted more than 40 million followers on Twitter, and he is quickly making a splash on Instagram as well.

“So many other footsteps are hidden in the footsteps of Joseph and Mary,” Pope Francis said. “We see the tracks of entire families forced to set out in our own day.”

Canonization could take place during the Synod of Bishops, an institution Paul re-established after Vatican II.

While Cardinal Law's funeral is held at St. Peter's, the church is still waiting for the formal renewal of the pope's sex abuse commission. More transparency is needed to build trust in the church's commitment to reform.

Following the typical protocol, Francis presided over a final prayer, a blessing with incense and the sprinkling of holy water around Law's coffin.