Since his election, Pope Leo XIV’s gentle gestures toward children have captured hearts all over the world. In a series of photos taken by priest and photographer Father Bruno Silvestrini, the paternal pontiff can be seen giving a loving embrace to a visibly moved young child.
In that simple act of care, he “became a tangible reflection of God’s love” as shared by Exaudi.
The news outlet went on to note that an image of Pope Leo “embracing a moved child” reminds us that “the Gospel is also spread through a hug." As Vatican News also pointed out when reflecting on the Pope's natural ease with the younger generations, in this spirit he follows Christ’s own example – just as Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me."
That simple papal embrace can speak the language of divine tenderness.
Meeting them at eye level
This down-to-earth closeness is more than symbolic. At a Vatican summer camp event, Pope Leo knelt beside a young girl to admire her drawing -- a gesture that Vatican News said “points us toward a direction that all people … should follow: to meet children at their level, to look at the world through their eyes."
Humility has long been his style. As a missionary bishop in Peru he bent down “many times to meet children at their level,” and now as Bishop of Rome “his style hasn’t changed."
By lowering himself to a child’s height, he invites the Church and world to rediscover the trust, wonder, and simplicity of childhood.
Teaching and guiding the young
Pope Leo’s love for children extends to those who form them. When greeting teachers and youth pilgrims, he reminded educators, “Children will look up to you as models of faith, particularly in how you teach and live” as reported in Catholic Connect.
Pointing to Christ as the ultimate teacher, he encouraged adults to strengthen their own relationship with God so they can guide the young in turn. Every friendly word and joyful greeting of the Pontiff shows that forming a child’s heart in faith is a sacred calling -- one he models by example in each encounter.
Blessing the little ones
Pope Leo’s spontaneous blessings of children have become a hallmark of his young pontificate. In a memorable scene on May 18, 2025, he paused his Popemobile at the Vatican to bless two American infants carried by pilgrim families.
Vatican media reported that “the moment drew emotional responses” as the Pope made the sign of the cross over each baby -- “an unforgettable moment” for the Casey and Giard families. The parents, who felt “called to fly to Rome” with their children for the inaugural Mass, saw this blessing as a sign of Providence.
One mother later said, “We can sense a deep humility and prayerfulness and love in our new Pope."
Such incidents show how this “Papa Pope” reaches out to the youngest, bringing them into the heart of the Church’s life.
A Pope with a child’s heart
All these encounters underline a deeper truth: Pope Leo’s papacy is already focused on the future generation. He has reminded us that families -- and especially children -- are the “cradle of the future of humanity,” where faith is shared “like food at the family table,” as USCCB reminds us.
Addressing little ones at the Jubilee Mass, he even urged them to say “thank you” to their parents daily, honoring them with gratitude. In every greeting and embrace he lives out Gandhi’s insight: “To teach real peace… we shall have to begin with the children."
By willingly becoming small -- kneeling, hugging, blessing, even giving fist bumps! -- Pope Leo shows us that “to become small … is to enlarge our humanity." In doing so, this humble pontiff brings Christ’s fatherly warmth to children everywhere, proving that the newest Pope is truly a “pope for the children,” shepherding the Church with a father’s gentle heart.
