Baptism

The Latest

Pope Francis leads pilgrims in praying the Angelus Jan. 6, 2018.

Forgetting our baptism is to forget our identity, Pope Francis says

Jan 7, 2018

By Elise Harris

On Sunday Pope Francis spoke of the importance of remembering the day of our baptism, which he said is more... Read more

Pope Francis baptizes 26 infants in the Sistine Chapel Jan. 10, 2016.

Pope baptizes 34 babies, says faith can't grow without love at home

Jan 7, 2018

By Elise Harris

Keeping with papal tradition, Pope Francis marked the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord by celebrating Mass in the... Read more

Nearly 80 prisoners baptized in Argentina

Dec 8, 2017

Seventy-eight prisoners were baptized, confirmed, and received their First Holy Communion in an Argentine prison Dec. 1.  Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter Square, Feb. 22, 2017.

Vatican clarifies: Gay couple received standard form letter from Pope, not endorsement

Aug 8, 2017

A congratulatory letter sent from Pope Francis to a same-sex couple regarding the baptism of their children was a standard... Read more

Mafia. Public Domain via Pixabay.

Italian bishop bans mobsters from being godfathers

Mar 22, 2017

Hollywood precedent notwithstanding, an Italian bishop has announced that known members of the mafia cannot be godparents for the Catholic... Read more

Pope Francis venerates the cross on Good Friday, 2015.

Pope Francis: This Lent, seek the only ‘well’ that satisfies – Christ

Mar 19, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Sunday Pope Francis said that Lent is the perfect time to remind ourselves of the life-giving water we received... Read more

Pope Francis baptizes a baby in the Sistine Chapel Jan. 10, 2016.

Pope Francis to parents: teach your children the faith by example

Jan 8, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis Sunday baptized 28 babies during Mass in the Sistine Chapel, reminding parents that by asking for the Sacrament... Read more

Gumuz people in traditional dress.

How one young Ethiopian made 300 Christian converts

Dec 7, 2016

A distant part of Ethiopia last week celebrated the baptisms of 300 adult catechumens, youth, and infants.  Read more

Pope Francis says Mass Feb. 2, 2015.

Pope invites Georgian Orthodox to unity through baptism

Oct 1, 2016

Speaking to Georgia's religious and civil authorities on Saturday, Pope Francis affirmed the country's Christian identity, and called the Georgian... Read more

Photo

Baptism at sea – refugee child born during boat rescue

Jul 20, 2016

In the midst of her stressful overseas voyage to Europe, Vivian, a very pregnant Nigerian woman who departed from the... Read more

Pope Francis prays the Angelus with pilgrims in St Peter's Square Jan. 10, 2016.

Do you celebrate the day of your baptism? Pope Francis asks

Jan 10, 2016

By Elise Harris

In his Sunday Angelus remarks Pope Francis stressed the importance of both knowing and celebrating the day of our baptism,... Read more

Pope Francis baptizes 26 infants in the Sistine Chapel Jan. 10, 2016.

Pope Francis baptizes infants, says faith is their 'greatest inheritance'

Jan 10, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Sunday Pope Francis baptized 26 babies in the Sistine Chapel, telling parents to nurture the faith in the lives... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square before the Wednesday general audience on Oct. 29, 2014.

Pope Francis baptizes children of an old friend at the Vatican

Aug 12, 2015

By Elise Harris

In a whirlwind trip, Lucas Schaerer and his family – friends of Pope Francis from his time in Buenos Aires... Read more

Pope Francis kisses a baby at a Pontifical Council for Health Care conference on autism Nov. 22, 2014.

Pope Francis baptizes babies, says God's word helps faith grow

Jan 11, 2015

Pope Francis baptized 33 babies at the Sistine Chapel on Sunday, advising families to set an example for their children... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in Saint Peter's Square during his General Audience on Nov. 13, 2013

Pope Francis: Jesus' baptism opened the heavens

Jan 11, 2015

Pope Francis encouraged Christians to remember their baptism with “joy,” as he reflected on the role of Jesus Christ’s baptism... Read more

 Pope Francis baptizes Hojin Lee on August 17, 2014.

Korean man takes name of 'Francis' at baptism by Pope

Aug 17, 2014

On Sunday morning Pope Francis baptized 62-year-old Lee Ho-Jin – the father of one of the victims from the Sewol... Read more

Wis. diocese clarifies stance on baptizing same-sex couples' babies

Jul 2, 2014

The Diocese of Madison, Wis. explained its response to same-sex couples who present children for baptism, welcoming sincere baptism requests... Read more

Former Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska speaking at CPAC 2014 in National Harbor, Maryland, March 8, 2014.

Sarah Palin rebuked for comparing waterboarding to baptism

May 1, 2014

Catholics and other Christians have criticized Sarah Palin’s recent comments comparing waterboarding to baptism, calling them disrespectful, irreverent, and even... Read more

Baptism.

Argentine archbishop defends baptism of child with lesbian parents

Apr 7, 2014

Archbishop Carlos Nanez of Cordoba, Argentina, explained that the recent baptism of a baby who is being raised by her... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on Dec. 4, 2013

Pope Francis: our faith is 'not an ornament'

Jan 15, 2014

By Elise Harris

During his general audience, Pope Francis continued his reflections on the Sacrament of Baptism, emphasizing that we are called to... Read more