Today, Gaudete Sunday, is the traditional Bambinelli Sunday, when children from across Italy bring their figurines of the Baby Jesus for a blessing at the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square.
Related: Bambinelli: A Christmas Blessing — Children’s Book Explains Tradition Francis Kept on Gaudete Sunday
The Pope greeted the children today and gave them a prayer intention:
“Dear children, when you pray before your creche with your parents, ask the Baby Jesus to help all of us to love God and our neighbor. And a reminder to pray also for me, as I pray for you. Thank you.”
At the very end of his greetings, he had another request for the children:
“And one thing I wanted to say to the children and the youth. We want to hear you sing a song. […] Sing!”
