Pope Leo XIV Baptizes 20 Babies saying "May Baptism, which unites us in the one family of the Church, sanctify all your families at all times" FULL TEXT
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Pope Leo XIV baptized 20 children; a tradition begun in 1981 by Pope John Paul II, Pope Leo presided over the baptism of Vatican employees in the Sistine Chapel. Following in the footsteps of his predecessors, the administration of the Sacrament took place during a Mass on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD
CELEBRATION OF HOLY MASS AND BAPTISM OF SOME CHILDREN
HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV
Sistine Chapel on Sunday, January 11, 2026
_________________________
Dear brothers and sisters ,
When the Lord enters history, he encounters the lives of each person with an open and humble heart. He seeks our gaze with his own, full of love, and dialogues with us, revealing the Word of salvation. Becoming man, the Son of God creates a surprising possibility for all, ushering in a new era, unexpected even by the prophets.
John the Baptist immediately realizes this, and asks Jesus: "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" ( Mt 3:14). As a light in the darkness, the Lord makes himself found where we least expect him: he is the Holy One among sinners, who wants to dwell among us without keeping his distance, but rather, fully assuming all that is human. "Let it be," Jesus replies to John, "for it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness" (v. 15).
What righteousness? That of God, who in the baptism of Jesus brings about our justification: in his infinite mercy, the Father makes us righteous through his Christ, the one Savior of all. How does this happen? The One who is baptized by John in the Jordan makes this gesture a new sign of death and resurrection, of forgiveness and communion. This is the Sacrament we celebrate today for these children of yours: because God loves them, they become Christians, our brothers and sisters.
The children you now hold in your arms are transformed into new creatures. Just as they received life from you, their parents, so now they receive the meaning to live it: faith. When we know that a good is essential, we immediately seek it for those we love. Who among us, in fact, would leave newborns without clothing or food, waiting for them to choose how to dress and what to eat as adults? Dearest ones, if food and clothing are necessary for life, faith is more than necessary, because with God, life finds salvation.
His provident love is manifested on earth through you, mothers and fathers who ask for faith for your children. Certainly, the day will come when they will become heavy to hold in your arms; and the day will also come when they will be the ones to support you. May Baptism, which unites us in the one family of the Church, sanctify all your families at all times, granting strength and constancy to the affection that unites you.
The gestures we will soon perform are beautiful testimonies to this: the water of the font is the cleansing of the Spirit, which purifies us from all sin; the white robe is the new garment that God the Father gives us for the eternal celebration of his Kingdom; the candle lit from the Paschal candle is the light of the risen Christ, who illuminates our path. I hope you continue to do so with joy throughout the year just begun and throughout your lives, confident that the Lord will always accompany your steps.
CELEBRATION OF HOLY MASS AND BAPTISM OF SOME CHILDREN
HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV
Sistine Chapel on Sunday, January 11, 2026
_________________________
Dear brothers and sisters ,
When the Lord enters history, he encounters the lives of each person with an open and humble heart. He seeks our gaze with his own, full of love, and dialogues with us, revealing the Word of salvation. Becoming man, the Son of God creates a surprising possibility for all, ushering in a new era, unexpected even by the prophets.
John the Baptist immediately realizes this, and asks Jesus: "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" ( Mt 3:14). As a light in the darkness, the Lord makes himself found where we least expect him: he is the Holy One among sinners, who wants to dwell among us without keeping his distance, but rather, fully assuming all that is human. "Let it be," Jesus replies to John, "for it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness" (v. 15).
What righteousness? That of God, who in the baptism of Jesus brings about our justification: in his infinite mercy, the Father makes us righteous through his Christ, the one Savior of all. How does this happen? The One who is baptized by John in the Jordan makes this gesture a new sign of death and resurrection, of forgiveness and communion. This is the Sacrament we celebrate today for these children of yours: because God loves them, they become Christians, our brothers and sisters.
The children you now hold in your arms are transformed into new creatures. Just as they received life from you, their parents, so now they receive the meaning to live it: faith. When we know that a good is essential, we immediately seek it for those we love. Who among us, in fact, would leave newborns without clothing or food, waiting for them to choose how to dress and what to eat as adults? Dearest ones, if food and clothing are necessary for life, faith is more than necessary, because with God, life finds salvation.
His provident love is manifested on earth through you, mothers and fathers who ask for faith for your children. Certainly, the day will come when they will become heavy to hold in your arms; and the day will also come when they will be the ones to support you. May Baptism, which unites us in the one family of the Church, sanctify all your families at all times, granting strength and constancy to the affection that unites you.
The gestures we will soon perform are beautiful testimonies to this: the water of the font is the cleansing of the Spirit, which purifies us from all sin; the white robe is the new garment that God the Father gives us for the eternal celebration of his Kingdom; the candle lit from the Paschal candle is the light of the risen Christ, who illuminates our path. I hope you continue to do so with joy throughout the year just begun and throughout your lives, confident that the Lord will always accompany your steps.
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