His Holiness Pope Leo XIV Baptizes 20 Children: Now they have the meaning of life
Continuing a tradition begun in 1981 by His Holiness Pope John Paul II, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV presided over the Baptism of 20 children of Vatican employees in the Sistine Chapel.
By Kielce Gussie
Carrying on a 45-year-old tradition, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV baptized 20 children 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.
A new sign of forgiveness
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV Baptizes 20 Children - 11 January 2026 (@VATICAN MEDIA)
In his homily, the Pope reflected on God entering history by coming down to earth to “meet each of us with an open and humble heart.” He wants to meet our gaze and reveal the Word of salvation to us, that is Jesus Christ.
By taking on human flesh, the Holy Father argued, “the Son of God offers to all a surprising possibility, inaugurating a new and unexpected time, even for the prophets.” John the Baptist recognizes this immediately and asks: “I need to be baptized by You, and You come to me?”
In this way, Jesus puts Himself in a place we would not imagine: “He is the Holy One among sinners, who desires to dwell among us without keeping distance, indeed, assuming fully all that is human.”
Jesus explained He is to be baptized by John to “fulfill all righteousness”. But Pope Leo begs the question: what is righteousness? We are made righteous through Christ who is baptized in the Jordan, making a “new sign of death and resurrection, of forgiveness and communion.”
“With God, life finds salvation”
This sacrament is the same sign these 20 children received because, as the Pope explained, “God loves them, they become Christians, our brothers and sisters.” Through their Baptism, these children are made new.
“Just as they received life from you, their parents, so now they receive the meaning with which to live it: faith”, the Holy Father noted. He further stressed that when we know something is essential, we seek to give it to the people we love. For example, clothes and food for children.
Yet, even greater than food or clothes—which are necessary for life—faith is even more essential. “For with God, life finds salvation”, Pope Leo said, and God’s love for his children is made visible and tangible through parents, who ask for faith for their children…
This report was originally publsihed on the Website of Vatican News. Please click here to read the full text.