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Pope Leo XIV Baptizes 20 Infants in Sistine Chapel Tradition

The rite continued a 1981 tradition marking the close of the Vatican’s Christmas season.

Overview

  • Pope Leo XIV personally administered the sacrament under Michelangelo’s ceiling during the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
  • In his homily, he said faith is “more than necessary,” declaring that with God “life finds salvation.”
  • The children baptized were sons and daughters of Vatican employees, underscoring the ceremony’s community focus.
  • Ritual details included a font set in a bronze Tree of Life base, calm proceedings with minimal fussing, and a baptismal candle given to each father.
  • While Vatican News showed an internal discrepancy on the count of children, independent reports stated 20 were baptized.