Pope Benedict XVI has reminded Catholic godparents how essential it is to be good role-models for their godchildren.

He said committed Christians are seen as "old-fashioned and outdated" by today's society. "In the wake of this mentality, there's the risk that even Christians might see their relationship with God as limiting, as something that subjugates their personal fulfilment," he said on Sunday as he baptised 20 infants at a Mass in the Sistine Chapel.

But he said that, instead of limiting human freedom, Christ "frees us from our own selfishness and from being turned in on ourselves in order to lead us to a full life in communion with God and others".

Above: The Pope baptising one of 20 babies during a Mass in the Sistine Chapel on Sunday. Photo: CNS/L'Osservatore Romano via Reuters