VATICAN - At the Angelus, the Pope recalls that Baptism is a “gift, joy, but also responsibility,” as parents and godparents “must bring up their children according to the Gospel,” and asks for prayers for the 6th World Meeting of Families

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – After having administered the Sacrament of Baptism to several children in the Sistine Chapel, the Holy Father Benedict XVI went to the window of his study on January 11, to recite the Angelus with the faithful gathered in Saint Peter's Square. Recalling the feast of the Lord's Baptism, the first event in Jesus' public life, which is celebrated on the first Sunday after the Epiphany, the Pope highlighted the words the Gospel writer says came from a voice in heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Mk 1:10-11), saying that in them, “the nature of eternal life is revealed: It is the filial relationship with God, as Jesus lived, revealed, and gave it to us.”
The Holy Father continued, recalling the Baptismal Rite: “Through Baptism the human person is brought into Jesus' unique and singular relationship with the Father, in such a way that the words that are spoken from heaven about the only-begotten Son become true for every man and woman who is reborn from the water of the Holy Spirit: You are my sons and daughters, my beloved. Dear friends, how great is the gift of baptism! If we make ourselves fully aware of it, our life will become a continual 'grace.' What a joy for Christian parents, who have seen a new creature blossom from their love, who have brought this child to the baptismal font and seen the child be reborn in the womb of the Church, for a life that will never end! Gift, joy, but also responsibility! The parents, in fact, together with the godparents, must bring up their children according to the Gospel.”
Benedict XVI then recalled the theme for the 6th World Meeting of Families in Mexico City: “The Family as Educator in Human and Christian Values.” The event will be divided into three main parts: first the theological and pastoral congress, a moment of celebration and testimony, and the solemn Eucharistic celebration, as a thanksgiving to the Lord for the gifts of marriage, the family and life. He said: “I have asked Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone to represent me, but I myself will also follow the extraordinary event with lively participation, accompanying it with prayer and through a televised talk. Until then, dear brothers and sisters, I invite you to implore an abundance of divine grace for this important international meeting of families. Let us do so invoking the maternal intercession of the Virgin Mary, Queen of the Family.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 12/1/2009)