Pope Francis baptized 16 children in the Sistine Chapel

He Pope Francisco This Sunday he highlighted the importance baptismA rite by which one attains “The most beautiful gift, of faith“, during the ceremony in which he baptized 16 girls and boys, his “true leaders”, who for a day filled the solemn Sistine Chapel with tears.

The ritual, full of rites, commemorates Jesus’ baptism in the waters of the Jordan River and is one of several held in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, under the spectacular frescoes by Michelangelo and where conclaves are held. To choose pop

Romeo, Cecilia, Matteo, Vittoria, Bianca, Giulia, Leonardo and Francesco are some of the names chosen for the babies baptized by the pontiff this Sunday, including a pair of twins.

“We are here to baptize, to give the gift of faith to our children, who are the true leaders of this ceremony,” so “They can shout, they can walk, they can rule, because it is their party” Francis said in a brief improvised homily addressed to the parents and godparents of the young children, who are all Vatican employees.

After highlighting that young children “will receive the most beautiful gift, that of faith, the gift of God”, the pontiff thanked the parents of the baptized for allowing them to enter the Church and asked them to remind them of this. Date every year, because It is “like a new birthday” that signifies “the rebirth of the Christian life.”

“For you, parents and godparents, I want you to help these children and be with them, help them grow because that’s a way to help build faith in them, for your commitment to bring them here to gain faith. Thank you,” he said.

And he insisted that the little ones should feel comfortable during their ceremony: “If they cry, because for that moment they are silent, but it is enough for one to give a note and the concert begins, let them cry,” he empathized. said with

And he asked the mothers “If they are hungry, breastfeed them, calm down here. If they are hot, take off their clothes because sometimes the heat hurts them.”

“Because they are heroes They will also testify to us today how we receive with faith, with innocence, with openness of heart.“, he emphasized.

During the ceremony, which began with Pope Francis making the sign of the cross to the children and their own parents, the children received anointing on the chest by two ushers: the Apostolic Almoner, Polish Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, and the President of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, Spanish Bishop Fernando Vergez.

Then baptism was administered, when water was poured over the heads of the little children, who Francis personally created the baptismal font

While the younger ones, curious and somewhat unusual, remained silent.

After that the children were dressed A white robe, a symbol of new life after baptismAnd then each father approaches the paschal candle located near the Pope to light a candle for each baptized person whose mouth and ears have been touched by the celebrants in this long ceremonial funeral.

Afterwards, Francisco, despite his mobility problems that force him to move around in a wheelchair, came to chat with the parents and siblings of the baptized, with whom he took some photos.

(with information from EFE)