According to the custom of the feast of the Baptism of Jesus, Pope Leo XIV baptized this Sunday some newborns, children of employees of the Holy See.
Then, in the Angelus, He extended his blessing to all the children who have received or will receive Baptism in these days, in Rome and throughout the world, entrusting them to the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary.
In a particular way, he added, I pray for children born in the most difficult conditions, both in terms of health and external dangers. May the grace of Baptism, which unites them to the paschal mystery of Christ, work effectively in them and in their families.
Baptism transforms us into children of God
Before the recitation of the Marian prayer, he briefly gave a basic catechesis on what is the Baptism, that is, “the sacrament that makes us Christians, freeing us from sin and transforming us into children of God, by the power of his Spirit of life”.
In the homily of the Mass, had said: “This is the sacrament that we celebrate today for your children; that God loves them, and they become Christians, our brothers and sisters”.
And at the Angelus, he also reflected on the love of God, who “does not look at the world from afar, on the sidelines of our lives, our afflictions and our hopes. He comes among us with the wisdom of his Word made flesh, making us part of a surprising plan of love for all humanity.
Sacrament that introduces us into the Church
The sacrament of Baptism introduces “each of us into the Church, which is the people of God, made up of men and women of every nation and culture, regenerated by his Spirit”.
“Let us dedicate this day to remembering the great gift we have received, committing ourselves to bear witness to it with joy and consistency. Just today I baptized some children, who have become our new brothers and sisters in the faith,” he said.
And expanding his heart before the families present, he referred to the beauty of the sacrament: “How beautiful it is to celebrate as one family the love of God, who calls us by name and frees us from evil. The first sacrament is a sacred sign that accompanies us forever. In the dark hours, Baptism is light; in the conflicts of life, Baptism is reconciliation; at the hour of death, Baptism is the gateway to heaven”.
Let us pray together to the Virgin Mary, asking her to sustain our faith and the mission of the Church every day, he encouraged before praying the Angelus.
To mothers and fathers: after life, after faith
At Mass, addressing the fathers and mothers, he stressed the importance of faith. “The children you now hold in your arms become new creatures. Just as from you, their parents, they have received life, now they also receive the meaning for living it: faith. Dear brothers and sisters, if food and clothing are necessary for life, faith is more than necessary, because with God life finds salvation”.
The provident love of God is manifested on earth through you, mothers and fathers, who ask for faith for your children, the Pope said. “May Baptism, which unites us in the one family of the Church, sanctify all your families at all times, giving strength and constancy to the affection that unites you.”.
After the Angelus: dialogue and peace for the Middle East and Ukraine
After the recitation of the prayer to the Virgin Mary, the Pope turned his thoughts “to what is happening in these days in the Middle East, in particular in Iran and Syria, where persistent tensions are causing the death of many people. I hope and pray that dialogue and peace will be patiently cultivated, seeking the common good of the whole of society”.
He then referred to “Ukraine, where new attacks, particularly serious, directed especially against energy infrastructures, precisely when the cold is becoming more intense, are hitting the civilian population hard. I pray for those who are suffering and I renew the appeal to cease violence and to intensify efforts to achieve peace”.
Finally, he greeted Romans and pilgrims, and wished everyone a happy Sunday.
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