- Pope Francis encouraged mothers to breastfeed their babies during a ceremony
- Speaking at the Sistine Chapel, he baptised 34 infants in a two hour long service
- ‘Breastfeed them, don’t be afraid … because this is the language of love’ he said
- The ceremony is an annual service just for the employees of the Vatican
Pope Francis encouraged mothers to breastfeed their babies if they were hungry during an extended ceremony at the Sistine Chapel where he baptised 34 infants.
During the ceremony, which lasted more than two hours, Francis baptised 18 girls and 16 boys, including two pairs of twins.
‘If they start performing a concert (by crying), or if they are uncomfortable or too warm or don’t feel at ease or are hungry … breastfeed them, don’t be afraid, feed them, because this too is the language of love,’ he said in a short improvised speech.
Pope Francis baptised 34 infants during a long ceremony in the Sistine Chapel on Sunday and told their mothers to feel free to breastfeed them there if they were hungry
Women still face harassment for breastfeeding in public in some countries even though attitudes are changing.
The pope has made similar comments in past ceremonies including in 2014 where he said: ‘If they are hungry, mothers, feed them, without thinking twice, because they are the most important people here.’
Television pictures showed at least one mother bottle-feeding her child.
During the ceremony, which lasted more than two hours, Francis baptised 18 girls and 16 boys, including two pairs of twins
The pope has made similar comments in past ceremonies including in 2014 where he said: ‘If they are hungry, mothers, feed them, without thinking twice, because they are the most important people here’
The papal baptism is a yearly event restricted to children of employees of the Vatican or the diocese of Rome. Francis is also bishop of the Italian capital.
The most famous frescoes in the Sistine Chapel – the ceiling scenes and the Last Judgement wall – were painted by Michelangelo.