‘Celebrate Baptism as a new birthday’

From the window of the Apostolic Palace, Bergoglio invited us to think about the date of the first sacrament: “If we don’t remember it, let’s ask our parents, our godparents.” This morning he baptized 21 children in the Sistine Chapel: “Today they rule.” He asked for prayers for Los Angeles and for peace “in Ukraine, in the Middle East and in the entire world.”

Vatican City () – Baptism is a date to celebrate, “like a new birthday.” Today, the feast of the Baptism of Jesus, Pope Francis asked the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square to participate in the Angelus prayer: “Does each of us remember the date of his baptism?” He then invited everyone who was listening to him to give importance to the first sacrament, the one that makes us belong to Christ. “If we do not remember, when we get home let us ask our parents or our godparents the date of our baptism,” added the Bishop of Rome.

Bergoglio considers the sacrament to be a second birth “in the Spirit of God.” And he insisted: “Don’t forget! This is a homework assignment: the date of my baptism.” Before praying the Marian prayer, Pope Francis read the commentary on the Gospel of the day (Lk 3:15-16.21-22), which narrates the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, the moment in which the heavens “opened and The Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove,” and a voice was heard saying: “You are my very dear Son, in whom I have all my preference.”

“When Jesus receives baptism, the Spirit manifests and the Epiphany of God takes place, revealing his face in the Son,” commented Bergoglio. Two images emerge from this episode: the face and the voice. Focusing on the face, he said: “In revealing himself as Father through the Son, God establishes a privileged place to enter into dialogue and communion with humanity.” And the voice is “another sign that accompanies the revelation of Jesus,” added the pontiff.

The face and voice of God, therefore, are manifested “in the humanity of Jesus.” Today’s solemnity leads us precisely to “contemplate” these two images, starting from the memory of our own Baptism. Pope Francis shared some questions with the faithful and pilgrims: “Do we feel loved? Do I feel loved and accompanied by God or do I think that God is far from me? Are we able to recognize his face in Jesus and in our brothers? And are we used to hearing his voice?” At the end of the comment, he repeated: “Do not forget the date of your Baptism!”

After praying the Angelus, Pope Francis shared his closeness with the population of Los Angeles County, victims of devastating fires: “I am close to the inhabitants of Los Angeles County, California – he stated -. I pray for all of you.” He then referred to the 21 children he baptized today in the Sistine Chapel, children of employees of the Holy See and members of the Swiss Guard. “We pray for them, for their families. And I would like to ask the Lord for all young couples, so that they may have the joy of welcoming the gift of children and leading them to Baptism.” And before he had said, referring to the little protagonists: “Today they rule.”

He then remembered the priest of the Missionaries of the Most Precious Blood, Father Giovanni Merlini (1795-1873), who was beatified this morning in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran. About the first blessed of the Jubilee Year, Bergoglio said: “Dedicated to the missions with the people, he was a prudent advisor to many souls and a messenger of peace.” And then: “We also invoke his intercession when we pray for peace in Ukraine, in the Middle East and throughout the world. A round of applause for the new blessed!” In conclusion, Pope Francis added: “Let us not stop praying for peace. Let us not forget that war is always a defeat.”