Near the Baby Jesus, even you [children] can know God, love him and make him loved. Even more, the Baby Jesus of Christmas invites all of you to represent him, joyfully imitating his goodness, among your families, your parents, and all those whose life especially needs to be illumined by the joy of Christmas, because they are suffering or sad.
— Dec. 19, 1982, blessing of children's statues of the Christ Child.