In a heartwarming ceremony at the Sistine Chapel, Pope Francis marked the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord by baptizing 16 infants, welcoming them into a new life of faith. Against the backdrop of the chapel's iconic frescoes, Pope Francis emphasized the significance of the children as active participants in the ceremony, symbolizing the profound journey of receiving faith.

During his address, Pope Francis encouraged the congregation not to be concerned if the little ones cried, stating, "it only takes one to give the first note, and the concert starts." He emphasized that their reactions were part of the celebration, saying, "if they cry, let them cry! If they are hungry, feed them." Pope urged the attendees to learn from the infants, highlighting their innocence and open hearts as examples of how to receive faith.

Undertaking the baptisms individually, Pope Francis welcomed each child into the faith with a personalized ceremony. He expressed gratitude to the godparents accompanying the children, recognizing their crucial role in supporting the infants' growth as a form of assistance to their faith journey.

In a poignant moment, Pope Francis encouraged families to view the baptism date as a spiritual "birthday," a day to celebrate the reception of faith. He urged parents to instill this perspective in their children, emphasizing the importance of teaching them about the significance of the day.

Pope's words resonated with the joyous atmosphere in the Sistine Chapel, as families celebrated the initiation of their infants into a life of faith and embraced the profound symbolism of the baptism ceremony.