In a sacred ceremony rich with tradition, Pope Leo XIV has baptised twenty infants within the hallowed confines of the Sistine Chapel. The event, held on Sunday 11 January 2026, continues a cherished annual practice that formally concludes the Christmas season at the Vatican.
A First Ceremony Beneath Michelangelo's Masterpiece
This marked the first baptismal ceremony presided over by Pope Leo since his election. The sacrament took place under the awe-inspiring gaze of Michelangelo's famed frescoed ceiling, with the pontiff personally administering baptism to each child. The infants are all children of employees working for the Holy See.
In his homily, Pope Leo emphasised the fundamental necessity of faith, drawing a powerful analogy to a newborn's basic needs. "When we know something is essential, we immediately seek it for those we love," he stated. "Who among us, in fact, would leave a newborn without clothing or nourishment, waiting for them to choose when they grow up how to dress and what to eat? Dearest ones, if food and clothing are necessary to live, faith is more than necessary, because with God, life finds salvation."
The Ceremony and Its Historical Roots
The parents, accompanied by godparents and siblings, approached a specially placed baptismal font. The font rests on a bronze base representing the Tree of Life. Reports noted the ceremony proceeded with a serene atmosphere, without tears and with minimal fussing from the young participants.
This celebration coincides with the feast day commemorating Jesus' own baptism in the River Jordan. The tradition of holding this particular baptismal service was established in 1981 by St. John Paul II. A fresco by Pietro Perugino on the Sistine Chapel's north wall depicts the very same biblical event.
As a symbolic gift, each father received a candle representing the Christian light that illuminates life's path. Concluding the service, Pope Leo offered a blessing for the families: "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."
Upholding a Legacy of Faith
The ceremony seamlessly blends profound personal sacrament with deep historical continuity. By baptising the children of Vatican staff, the event reinforces the Church's role as a spiritual family. It also visually and symbolically ties the modern papacy to centuries of artistic heritage and papal tradition, from Perugino's Renaissance art to the legacy of John Paul II.
This annual ritual serves as a poignant bridge between the joy of the Nativity celebrated at Christmas and the beginning of ordinary time in the liturgical calendar, sending a message of hope and community for the year ahead.
