On the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Pope Francis baptized thirteen newborn babies in the Sistine Chapel and explained the role of parents and godparents in the formation of children.
Newsroom (13/01/2023 11:02 AM, Gaudium Press) Pope Francis baptized thirteen infants in the Sistine Chapel last Sunday, January 8.
On the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Popes have the custom of celebrating a Mass in the famous Sistine Chapel in the Vatican and baptizing the babies of some Vatican officials. All the children baptized by Francis are under one year old.
It was Pope John Paul II who started the custom in 1982. Every year since then, the popes have repeated the tradition.
Pope Francis began his homily by thanking the parents and godparents for bringing their children into the Church. He also stated that the sacrament of Baptism is a new birth:
“I advise you to teach your children the date of baptism, like a new birthday: that every year they remember and thank God for this grace of having become Christians,” Francis explained to the parents and godparents.
Francis also addressed the role of godfathers and godmothers in the spiritual growth of the members stating that the newly baptized must be helped throughout their spiritual life.
One of the Pope’s pieces of advice to those responsible for the children was to teach them to pray: “in good times to thank God, and in bad times to find strength.”
After the brief impromptu homily, the Pope continued the Baptismal rites and asked parents not to worry about the children crying. (FM)
Compiled by Teresa Joseph
