In a heartwarming ceremony beneath the iconic frescoed ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Pope Leo XIV baptized 20 infants on Sunday, maintaining a cherished Vatican tradition. This annual event marks the conclusion of the Christmas season, celebrated within the sacred and art-rich confines of the Vatican.

Following the ceremony, Pope Leo XIV addressed a gathering in St. Peter’s Square, extending his blessings to all newborns receiving baptism around this time. He specifically acknowledged those born under challenging circumstances, whether due to health issues or external threats, emphasizing the universal support of the Church for these vulnerable new lives.

Presiding over his inaugural baptismal ceremony as the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo highlighted the profound significance of faith. He noted that faith imbues life with meaning and purpose, much like how other vital needs sustain us.

The Pope poignantly compared the necessity of faith to the basic needs of clothing and nourishment for infants. “Just as we wouldn’t leave a newborn without essential sustenance, we should not withhold the gift of faith, which offers salvation and a deeper understanding of life,” he shared with the families present.

Pope Leo’s message resonated with the gathering, reinforcing the idea that faith is a fundamental component of life, offering spiritual nourishment and a path to salvation. His words underscored the Church’s commitment to nurturing both the physical and spiritual needs of its youngest members.

The pontiff personally administered the sacrament of baptism to the infants, who are the children of Vatican employees working at the Holy See. The parents approached the baptismal font placed within a bronze base representing the Tree of Life with the babies’ godparents and any siblings. The ceremony took place without tears and minimal fussing.

The celebration marks the feast day that recalls Jesus’ baptism in the River Jordan and was established in 1981 by St. John Paul II. The event is depicted on the Sistine Chapel’s north wall in a fresco by Pietro Perugino.

During the ceremony, each father was given a candle representing the Christian light that “illuminates our path.”

“I wish you to continue with joy during the year that has just begun and for all of your life, certain that the Lord will always accompany your steps.”