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PHOTOS: Pope Leo meets the tiniest members of the flock — babies

Pope Leo XIV blesses a baby on All Saints Day’ 2025. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV has welcomed and greeted a plethora of babies at the Vatican since his election on May 8. As Christians everywhere celebrate the birth of Jesus, who came into this world as a baby, it’s a perfect time to highlight many of these sweet “pontiff meets babies” moments.

Pope Leo XIV holds a baby during an audience at the Vatican. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV holds a baby during an audience at the Vatican. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV blesses a baby during his general audience in St. Peter’s Square on June 18, 2025, at the Vatican. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV blesses a baby during his general audience in St. Peter’s Square on June 18, 2025, at the Vatican. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets a young attendee at a Pentecost prayer vigil in St. Peter’s Square, Saturday, June 7, 2025. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA
Pope Leo XIV greets a young attendee at a Pentecost prayer vigil in St. Peter’s Square, Saturday, June 7, 2025. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA
Pope Leo XIV blesses a baby during his Wednesday general audience on Aug. 6, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA
Pope Leo XIV blesses a baby during his Wednesday general audience on Aug. 6, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA
Pope Leo XIV blesses a baby during his Wednesday general audience in St. Peter’s Basilica on Aug. 13, 2025, at the Vatican. Due to the heat, the pope gave his address in Paul VI Audience Hall but also greeted pilgrims in other locations. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV blesses a baby during his Wednesday general audience in St. Peter’s Basilica on Aug. 13, 2025, at the Vatican. Due to the heat, the pope gave his address in Paul VI Audience Hall but also greeted pilgrims in other locations. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo meets a family at the general audience on Aug. 27, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo meets a family at the general audience on Aug. 27, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo embraces a crying baby in St. Peter's Square on Sept. 6, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo embraces a crying baby in St. Peter’s Square on Sept. 6, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo ambraces a baby at his general audience on Aug. 27, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo ambraces a baby at his general audience on Aug. 27, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV blesses a baby during the general audience on Sept. 3, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV blesses a baby during the general audience on Sept. 3, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV blesses a baby during his general audience on Sept. 24, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA
Pope Leo XIV blesses a baby during his general audience on Sept. 24, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Credit: Daniel Ibañez/EWTN
Pope Leo XIV blesses a baby during his general audience on Sept. 24, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV blesses a baby during his general audience on Sept. 24, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets a baby during his general audience on Sept. 24, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets a baby during his general audience on Sept. 24, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV blesses a baby during his jubilee audience on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV blesses a baby during his jubilee audience on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets a family in Rome. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets a family in Rome. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets a baby at his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA
Pope Leo XIV greets a baby at his general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN
Pope Leo XIV pauses to embrace a baby in the crowd during Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Oct. 12, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV pauses to embrace a baby in the crowd during Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Oct. 12, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo greets young children and families in St. Peter's Basilica Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo greets young children and families in St. Peter’s Basilica Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets a baby during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo XIV greets a baby during his general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo blesses a baby on All Saints' Day 2025. Credit: Vatican Media
Pope Leo blesses a baby on All Saints’ Day 2025. Credit: Vatican Media

This article was originally published by CNA.

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Francesca Pollio Fenton

Francesca is a staff reporter for Catholic News Agency. She received her degree in Communications with an emphasis in Digital Media from the University of Colorado - Denver. She is also in charge of the social media for Catholic News Agency.

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