Pope Francis is urging parents to baptize their babies as soon as possible instead of waiting for them to become adults and decide on their own baptism.
On April 11 at Vatican, the pontiff explained the value of baptism at a young age. The pope acknowledged that some holds off the sacrament until the baby is grown up and understand what baptism is.
According to Christian Daily, "Pope Francis said putting off baptism until the child can understand what it is about is not a sound excuse since parents have to trust the Holy Spirit to guide their children in their journey of faith. Linking baptism to Easter, the pontiff said, "[Baptism] a sign of purification for a new beginning."
"But this means not trusting in the Holy Spirit," Pope Francis explained. "When we baptize a child, the Holy Spirit enters him and the Holy Spirit fosters in that child the Christian virtues, which will later flourish."
The pope also encouraged the parents to give their children the gift of faith as baptism opens the door for the other sacraments in the Catholic Church.
Moreover, the pope reminded everyone that the sacrament they underwent as babies makes them a witness to God and a recipient to His salvation.
