Pope Francis baptises 16 infants in the Sistine Chapel
By Francesca Merlo
Pope Francis on Sunday baptised 16 infants on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
Under the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, Pope Francis celebrated the Lord's gift of faith to these children, saying they are also protagonists of the ceremony, since they give witness of how to receive faith.
Although the children were all silent as the Pope spoke, “it only takes one to give the first note and the concert starts,” he said. Should they in fact cry, he continued “let them cry!”. Likewise, “if they are hungry, feed them”. They decide on this feast day, as they prepare to receive the gift of faith.
In fact, the Pope continued, let them be an example of faith to us, too. “May they show us how to receive our faith: with innocence and with open hearts”.
He then went on to baptise each child one by one, welcoming each one into its faith.
Addressing then the godparents who had been accompanying the children and their parents, the Holy Father asked that they be of help the children as they accompany them in their growth, “because, this, too is a way to help the faith”. “Thank you”, the Pope added, “for your testimony”.
The Pope also encouraged the families to see the date of baptism as a sort of "birthday". It is the day that the faith was received, a day to be celebrated, and "you should teach your children that", said the Pope.
During the ceremony, each father, one by one, was given a candle to light. "Take these candles home with you", invited the Pope. "It represents the Christian light, which must never go out", said the Pope, inviting the families to turn to the candle in times of trial.
Finally, accompanied by the words and music of "Silent night", in Italian, the parents and godparents received a rosary and exchanged a few words with the Holy Father, who concluded the celebration by going around and blessing each and every child.
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