Pope urges prayers for Mexico Family Meeting, baptizes newborns

(January 12, 2009) Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday asked for prayers for the success of the 6^th World Meeting of Families taking place this week in Mexico City. Speaking to pilgrims before his weekly midday “Angelus’ prayer in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope assured of his "lively participation" in the gathering. Though not attending personally, he is sending Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone as his special envoy to the meet. The theme of the Jan. 14-18 World Meeting of Families is, “The family, Educator in Human and Christian Values.” "This great meeting of families, organized by the Pontifical Council for the Family,” the Pope explained, "will unfold in three parts: first the theological and pastoral congress, in which the theme will be explored and in which there will also be a sharing of significant experiences; then there will be a moment of celebration and testimony, which will bring to light the beauty of the meeting of families from every part of the world, united by the same faith and by the same commitment; and finally the solemn Eucharistic celebration, as a thanksgiving to the Lord for the gifts of marriage, the family and life." Pope Benedict will deliver two video messages to the Mexico meeting.
Earlier on Sunday morning, the Pope Benedict baptized 13 babies in the Sistine Chapel in a traditional annual ceremony to mark the baptism of Jesus in River Jordan. Pope Benedict stood under Michelangelo's magnificent «Last Judgment» fresco and blessed the nine boys and four girls. The baptism of Jesus in his first public appearance an adult marks the end of the Christmas season. Pope Benedict said that “A child is not the parents' property, but is rather entrusted by the Creator to their responsibility, freely and in an ever new way, so that they help him to be a free child of God." It is this awareness that can help parents strike the right balance between treating their children as if they were a possession or allowing them total freedom, satisfying their every whim. "If with this sacrament, the newly baptized infant becomes an adoptive child of God, object of his infinite love that safeguards and defends him, then he must be taught to recognize God as his Father and to know how to relate to him with a filial attitude." He therefore urged the babies’ parents, godparents and grandparents to educate them in the faith.