Pope ordaining 19 men to priesthood in St. Peter's Basilica

Pope Francis is ordaining 19 men to the priesthood in St. Peter's Basilica.

Most of them are Italians, but other seminarians are from Croatia, Peru, Haiti and Japan.

Wearing white robes, the seminarians stood in three rows before the central altar after replying, "Here I am," as their names were called one by one. Francis in a ritual asked if they were worthy to become priests.

Pope Francis asperges incense during a ceremony in which he ordained nineteen new priests in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Sunday, May 12, 2019. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)

During his homily, he told them to carry out their mission "in joy and charity" and to never "tire of being merciful" toward the faithful.

The seminarians' ages range from mid-20s to 46.

The ordinations come as the church and many of its clergy have lost credibility with rank-and-file Catholics after decades of scandals involving pedophile priests and systematic cover-up by bishops.

Pope Francis arrives in St. Peter's Basilica to lead a ceremony in which he ordained nineteen new priests at the Vatican, Sunday, May 12, 2019. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)

Pope Francis arrives in St. Peter's Basilica to lead a ceremony in which he ordained nineteen new priests at the Vatican, Sunday, May 12, 2019. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)

Pope Francis asperges incense during a ceremony in which he ordained nineteen new priests in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Sunday, May 12, 2019. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)

Pope Francis, flanked by master of ceremonies Monsignor Guido Marini, holds the pastoral staff during a ceremony in which he ordained nineteen new priests in St.Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, Sunday, May 12, 2019. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)