Jennifer Lawrence visits children's hospital on Christmas Eve

Actress Jennifer Lawrence visited the Kosair Children's Hospital in her native Kentucky on Christmas Eve, and spread cheer to the patients and parents during the unannounced visit.

Kosair is the state's only "full-service, free-standing pediatric care facility dedicated exclusively to caring for children," and treats patients in cardiology, diabetes, cancer, and other areas.

The Academy Award-winner took a group photo with nurses, patients, and parents at the hospital, and posted it to her Twitter account.

"Happy day!" she wrote. "Visiting the Kosair Children's Hospital."

The "Hunger Games" star shared other pictures with patients in hospital beds, and one with a baby hooked up to several tubes in the neonatal unit. In the touching photo, Lawrence leans over the infant with her hand over her chest.

"Only love @ Kosair Children's Hospital," she wrote. "Happy Christmas Eve to all children of the world."

On Christmas Day, the 24-year-old shared a photo from the 1990 film "Home Alone," starring Macaulay Culkin.

"Merry Christmas to you all! #MerryChristmasYaFilthyAnimal," she captioned the picture, quoting one of the movie's popular lines.

Lawrence's role in "The Hunger Games" cemented her status as the highest-grossing female action star of all time. In addition to her success in the "X-Men" and "Hunger Games" series, her performances in the dramatic films "Silver Linings Playbook," "Winter's Bone," and "American Hustle" were critically-acclaimed.

The actress has been cast in "Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 2," which will premiere in November 2015, the 2015 film "Joy," which follows the life of Miracle Mop inventor Joy Mangano, and the next "X-Men" installment, "X-Men: Apocalypse." The Marvel film, in which Lawrence plays Raven Darkholme, or Mystique, is expected to be released in May 2016.

News
Russian court bans 'extremist' New Testament translation
Russian court bans 'extremist' New Testament translation

A Russian court has banned an "extremist" translation of the New Testament

Bishop urges UK government to put diplomatic pressure on Nigeria as Christians continue to suffer
Bishop urges UK government to put diplomatic pressure on Nigeria as Christians continue to suffer

A Nigerian bishop has called on the UK government to make diplomatic and economic relations with his country conditional on Nigeria’s efforts to return internally displaced people to their homelands.

King Charles and Queen Camilla postpone Vatican visit as Pope Francis recovers from ill-health
King Charles and Queen Camilla postpone Vatican visit as Pope Francis recovers from ill-health

King Charles III and Queen Camilla have postponed their anticipated visit on April 8 to the Vatican after medical advice recommended that Pope Francis take an extended period of rest, and mutual agreement between the British Royal Household and the Holy See.

Former MP: Assisted suicide bill 'unsafe', 'biased' and 'rushed'
Former MP: Assisted suicide bill 'unsafe', 'biased' and 'rushed'

A former MP calls the assisted suicide bill "unsafe" "biased" and "rushed".