Saint Joseph Catholic Church

“In a particular way, I pray for children born into difficult circumstances, whether due to health conditions or external dangers,” he continued. “May the grace of Baptism, which unites them to the Paschal Mystery of Christ, bear fruit in their lives and in the lives of their families.”

Before extending his greetings to pilgrims, Pope Leo offered prayers for the Middle East and Ukraine:

My thoughts turn to the situation currently unfolding in the Middle East, especially in Iran and Syria, where ongoing tensions continue to claim many lives. I hope and pray that dialogue and peace may be patiently nurtured in pursuit of the common good of the whole of society.

In Ukraine, new attacks—particularly severe ones aimed at energy infrastructure as the cold weather grows harsher—are taking a heavy toll on the civilian population. I pray for those who suffer and renew my appeal for an end to the violence and for renewed efforts to achieve peace.

In today’s Sunday Angelus address (video), Pope Leo XIV reflected on the Sacrament of Baptism and described it as “light,” “reconciliation,” and “the gateway to heaven.”

Pope Leo XIV celebrated the Mass of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord this morning in the Sistine Chapel and baptized 20 children of Vatican employees (booklet, video).

Writing in the Vatican newspaper, Bishop Antonio Staglianò spoke of “a revolutionary act: the Congregation that was once called the Holy Office, the one of silences and denials, today quotes poets to explain why ‘two’ are better than three, four, or the liquid infinity of contemporary love.”

“We are not faced with a theological treatise,” Bishop Staglianò continued. “It is something more radical: a cultural manifesto that tries to rehabilitate monogamy not as an imposition, but as an experience of beauty. And it does so with a secret weapon: poetry.’