Pope Francis has baptised 21 babies in the Sistine Chapel on Sunday under the ceiling frescoed by Michelangelo, in what has become an annual tradition that marks the end of the Christmas holiday perio

Pope Francis baptized 21 babies in the Sistine Chapel, a tradition marking the end of Christmas at the Vatican. He emphasized the children's importance in the ceremony, which includes lighting a candle to symbolize enduring faith.

Pope Francis baptised 21 babies in the Sistine Chapel on Sunday under the ceiling frescoed by Michelangelo, in what has become an annual tradition that marks the end of the Christmas holiday period at the Vatican.

Pope Francis baptised 21 babies in the Sistine Chapel on Sunday under the ceiling frescoed by Michelangelo, in what has become an annual tradition that marks the end of the Christmas holiday period at the Vatican. Francis administered the sacrament on the ...

Pope Francis baptized 21 infants in the Sistine Chapel on Sunday, continuing an annual tradition marking the end of the Christmas season at the Vatican. Under Michelangelo's iconic frescoes, the ceremony celebrated the children as central figures.

Francis celebrated the Lord’s gift of faith to the children, stressing they were the protagonists of the ceremony. “It is important that these children feel well,” the pope said.

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis baptised 21 babies in the Sistine Chapel on Sunday under the ceiling frescoed by Michelangelo, in what has become an annual tradition that marks the end of the ...

Today, each of you parents and the Church herself give the greatest, greatest gift: the gift of faith to children,” Pope Francis told families.

Francis spent much of the past decade in relatively good health but has dealt with several painful medical conditions over the last few years.

With his new encyclical, Pope Francis added his voice to this chorus of encouragement inviting people not to lose heart.

The Vatican said that Thursday’s fall also occurred at Santa Marta, and the pope was later seen in audiences with his right arm in a sling. At one of the meetings, Francis apologetically offered his left hand for a handshake when he greeted the head of the U.N. fund for agricultural development, Alvaro Lario.

LONDON -- Pope Francis fell and injured his arm on Thursday in his residence, the Vatican said. "This morning, due to a fall at the Santa Marta house, Pope Francis suffered a bruise to his right forearm, without fractures," the Vatican said in a statement in Italian. "The arm was immobilized as a precautionary measure."