Pope leads baptism ceremony for babies in Sistine Chapel

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis is leading a baptism ceremony for 34 babies in the splendor of the Sistine Chapel.

Andrew Medichini

Pope Francis incenses the altar as he celebrates an Epiphany Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Francis, in a homily Saturday to mark Epiphany, said people are “often make do” with having “health, a little money and a bit of entertainment.” (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

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Pope Francis incenses the altar as he celebrates an Epiphany Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Francis, in a homily Saturday to mark Epiphany, said people are “often make do” with having “health, a little money and a bit of entertainment.” (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

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Pope Francis is seen through a decorated Christmas tree as he delivers his blessing as he recites the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

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Pope Francis, from beneath the baldachin, celebrates an Epiphany Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Francis, in a homily Saturday to mark Epiphany, said people are “often make do” with having “health, a little money and a bit of entertainment.” (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

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Pope Francis kisses a statue of the Divine Infant as he arrives to celebrate an Epiphany Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

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With Michelangelo's frescoes on the ceiling overhead, the parents — some with other young children in tow — brought 18 girls and 16 boys forward to Francis. The pope then made the sign of the cross on the forehead of each child. Some babies slept, others cooed, and at least one mother gave her baby a bottle of milk.

Fathers said aloud the first names of the children designated for baptism Sunday in what has become an annual event on one of the first Sundays of the year in the chapel where popes are elected by cardinals. One of the children is named Francesco, the Italian version of the papal name.

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