The leader of Boston's Roman Catholic church has maintained a holiday tradition of visiting the homeless on Christmas Eve.

Cardinal Sean O'Malley stopped at the Pine Street Inn where he talked with guests and helped serve meals at the city's largest homeless shelter.

O'Malley was joined for a time by Gov.-elect Charlie Baker, who takes office on Jan. 8.

The cardinal planned to celebrate Midnight Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston's South End neighborhood.

In his annual holiday message, O'Malley said Christmas was "the feast of God's love for us," and said people should share this joy and good news with others.