Nearing eight months in the Chair of Peter, Pope Leo today asked young people to pray for his intentions.
Leo XIV marked his first "Bambinelli Sunday" -- a Roman tradition in which children and families bring the Baby Jesus figurines from their Nativity scenes for a papal blessing.
The Pope took the occasion to ask for prayers, in particular that all children may live in peace:
Today, I send a special greeting to the children and young people of Rome! Dear friends, you have come with your families and catechists for the blessing of the figurines of the Child Jesus, which you will place in the mangers in your homes, schools, and parish community centers. I thank the Roman Oratory Center for organizing this event, and I cordially bless all the “bambinelli.”
Dear children, as you stand before your Nativity scenes, please pray to Jesus for the Pope’s intentions as well. In particular, let us pray together that all the world’s children may live in peace. I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
