Pope Francis blessed hundreds of figurines of the baby Jesus – ranging from tiny plastic figures to life-sized statues – and encouraged children to make sure they have Nativity scenes at home.
After reciting the Angelus prayer on December 15, the third Sunday of Advent, Pope Francis did the traditional blessing of the "bambinelli," or statues of the infant Jesus, for children to put in mangers at home, at school and in their parishes.
"Raise the statues up," the Pope told the children. "I bless them from my heart."
