It was a sea of bambinelli in
Saint Peter's Square during Sunday's Angelus.
Bambinelli are what the
Italians call the little baby Jesuses that are placed in the Nativity
scenes.
As is tradition, on the third Sunday of Advent, children bring their
baby Jesuses to the square for the papal blessing.
Benedict
XVIIt gives me great pleasure to renew the beautiful tradition of the
blessing of the "Baby Jesus" statuettes of the Child Jesus that will be laid
down in the manger. I refer especially to you, dear boys and girls of Rome who
came this morning with your "Baby Jesus", which I now bless.Big or
small, wood or ceramic, a statuette of every kind could be seen.
The
children held them high as the Holy Father blessed them from his window
above.
Benedict XVIWe pray to you, so that with your blessing,
these images of Jesus, Who is about to come among us, may be in our homes as
a sign of your presence and your love.With the blessing complete, the
children will now have to wait until Christmas Eve before placing the bambinelli
in their cribs.
