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Pope Tells Moms It’s OK To Breastfeed In Church

Posted at 2:03 PM, Jan 13, 2014
and last updated 2014-01-13 14:03:52-05

Pope_Francis_in_March_2013(CNN) – Under the iconic paintings in the Sistine Chapel on Sunday, Pope Francis told mothers that it’s acceptable to breastfeed their children in public, even in holy sites like churches.

Children’s voices, even when crying, make “the most beautiful choir of all,” Francis said during a service in which he baptized 32 children.

“Some will cry because they are uncomfortable or because they are hungry,” the Pope said. “If they are hungry, mothers, let them eat, no worries, because here, they are the main focus,” he said.

The Sistine Chapel, with its famous frescoes by Michelangelo, is the official chapel of the Apostolic Palace, traditionally the papal residence. Francis, though, lives in the Vatican guesthouse, Casa Santa Marta, saying it better suits his low-key style.

The Pope’s remarks echo statements he made to an Italian newspaper in December in which he tied breastfeeding to the problem of global hunger.

At a recent General Audience – or public appearance by the Pope – a young mother sat behind a screen with her crying infant, Francis told La Stampa.

“I said to her: ‘Madam, I think the child’s hungry. … Please give it something to eat!’ ” the Pope said.

“She was shy and didn’t want to breastfeed in public, while the Pope was passing,” he continued. “I wish to say the same to humanity: Give people something to eat! That woman had milk to give to her child; we have enough food in the world to feed everyone.”

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