US EditionPope blesses baby Jesus statues for Nativity scenes ahead of Christmas
Pope Leo XIV blessed over 1,500 bambinelli statues, urging prayers for his intentions and peace for children worldwide during the final Sunday of Advent.
- On Dec. 21, Pope Leo XIV blessed bambinelli during his Angelus in Saint Peter's Square, receiving the infant-Jesus statues brought by children and pilgrims for blessing.
- The blessing follows a long-standing Advent custom for the pope to bless bambinelli at a Sunday Angelus, but this year it took place on the fourth and final Sunday of Advent rather than Gaudete Sunday.
- Reflecting on Saint Joseph, Pope Leo XIV said scripture shows God's plan in a dream and praised Joseph's discreet mercy that should guide believers this Advent.
- As part of the rite, the pope recommended placing the blessed figures in nativity scenes in homes, schools, parishes and oratories and invited children who brought bambinelli to pray for the Pope's intentions.
- Looking ahead to Jan. 6, 2026, Pope Leo XIV will close the holy door during the Mass for the Epiphany, concluding the jubilee year.
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At the gates of Christmas Eve, Pope Leo XIV asked to pray that “all the children of the world may live in peace.” The Catholic Church commemorates on December 25 the birth of Jesus and his priests make petitions in the homilies.
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Pray for peace in front of the Nativity scene, pope asks children
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Leo XIV asked children to pray in front of their Nativity scenes this Christmas and, especially, to pray “that all the world’s children may live in peace.” Clutching their creche figurines of the baby Jesus, thousands of children gathered in St. Peter’s Square Dec. 21 to have Pope Leo bless the little statues after the midday recitation of the Angelus prayer. ‘Please pray to Jesus’ “Dear children, as you stand before yo…
Pope blesses baby Jesus statues for Nativity scenes ahead of Christmas
ROME – Pope Leo XIV Sunday blessed statues of the infant Jesus that will be placed in nativity scenes on Christmas day, pointing to Saint Joseph as an example of charity and mercy for his care of Mary and the child God entrusted to him. Speaking to pilgrims during his Dec. 21 Angelus address in St. Peter’s Square, the pope offered a special greeting to young people, noting that many had come “for the blessing of the figurines of the Child Jesus,…
Today, fourth Sunday of Advent, Prevost after the Angelus blessed the children brought by the young people of Rome. The statue will go to homes, schools and oratories: "In front of the crib pray Jesus also for the intentions of the pope." On the Gospel of the day: "Joseph fragile and fallible man, like us." But "courageous and strong in the faith."
PHOTO GALLERY: Pope Leo XIV revives childhood tradition: mass blessing of “baby Jesus” figures at the Vatican - ZENIT
(ZENIT News / Vatican City, 12.22.2025).- St Peter’s Square took on a distinctly domestic tone on Sunday morning, as hundreds of children arrived clutching small statues of the Christ Child. The scene, familiar to Romans yet newly charged with meaning, marked Pope Leo XIV’s first blessing of the Bambinelli—an Advent tradition that quietly weaves together popular devotion, catechesis, and the Church’s public life. Addressing pilgrims during the A…
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