An ailing Mali archbishop facing allegations of financial impropriety assured the Vatican on Tuesday he plans to show up at St. Peter's Basilica to be made a cardinal by Pope Francis.

The pope's words can be read as an answer to those who hope his pontificate may end soon.

The Vatican expressed "grave concern" on Monday for a Chinese bishop who it says was "forcibly removed" from his office several weeks ago and whose whereabouts are unknown.

Pope Francis encouraged Cardinal Lacroix and the bishops from Quebec to be a missionary church, “a church that goes out, reaches out to people.”

Pope Francis made the pilgrimage to honor two 20th-century parish priests whose commitment to the poor and powerless brought them censure from the Vatican.

This was the pope and chancellor's sixth meeting.