Pope Francis’ 77th birthday marked with simple celebration

Last updated on: December 17, 2013 at 3:59 pm by CNA Daily News

Pope Francis’ 77th birthday marked with simple celebration 2013-12-17T15:59:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Vatican City, Dec 17, 2013 / 08:59 am (CNA/EWTN News).- December 17 is the 77th birthday of Pope Francis, who wanted to celebrate the day in the familial setting of his St. Martha residence.

The Pope asked that those who live and work at the residence join him for the daily 7 a.m. mass there. Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, concelebrated mass with the Pontiff on behalf of the entire College.

During the homily he preached on today’s gospel reading containing the genealogy of Jesus, Pope Francis took the opportunity to remember the names of some of the staff who were present.

Pope Francis then followed his usual custom after mass of greeting everyone in attendance. Today, the Papal Almoner, Msgr. Konral Krajewski, presented four homeless people who live in the Vatican area to the Pontiff.

Everyone sang a birthday song to the Pope before going in to breakfast together at the residence.

The Secretary of State, Msgr. Pietro Parolin, has sent his best wishes and greetings on behalf of everyone in his office.

Several other celebrations have been held throughout Rome in honor of the the Pontiff. A local Catholic center for youth, the “Centro San Lorenzo” has organized a day of prayer and adoration for Pope Francis. The 24 hour vigil will take place just down the road from the Vatican, beginning at midnight on Dec. 16 and ending at the same hour on the seventeenth.

Earlier in the week, the children and staff of the Vatican’s Santa Marta clinic held a birthday party for the Pope, complete with a birthday cake, candles, song and even the gift of a sweater.

Others have sent the Pontiff a four-foot-tall birthday card bearing the image of Mary under her title “Untier of Knots.” In the 1980s, the then Jorge Bergoglio saw this baroque image when he was a student in Germany and brought the devotion back to South America.

Journalists dedicated to special coverage of Vatican activities, known as “vaticanistas,” will gather on Tuesday evening in Rome’s “Campo di Fiori” to celebrate in honor of Pope Francis.

Luis Avellaneda, the secretary of Pope Francis’ childhood church in Buenos Aires, told Vatican Radio that although there are no specific plans for a celebration there, “certainly in Masses of the day we will pray. We will pray for all the intentions of the Holy Father, who for us is very far away: we're at the end of the world … But we are very close to the heart of the Holy Father.”

Another special birthday surprise for the Pope came in the form of a victory for his favorite soccer club, “San Lorenzo de Almagro.” Upon being told about their win, one Italian newspaper reports that Pope Francis exclaimed, “what a joy!”

Some players and managers of the soccer club hope to present Pope Francis, who is also their chaplain, with their newly-won league championship trophy.

Vatican

Previous Post

December 17, 2013

Holiness means 'letting God write our history,' preaches Pope

Next Post

December 17, 2013 Green Bay priest appointed bishop of Marquette, Mich.

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does Paul say in Philippians is far better?

Select your answer to see how you score.

To suffer for righteousness To serve others To depart and be with Christ To spread the gospel