Pope Francis turned 87 years old on Sunday, December 17th. For the past several years he has spent his birthday with sick children and families assisted by the Vatican's Santa Marta Dispensary, who presented him with a birthday cake, a bouquet of sunflowers, and sang ‘Happy Birthday’.
The Santa Marta Dispensary has provided medical assistance to children and families in need for over 90 years, and is based very near to the Pope’s residence inside the Vatican.
It was established in 1922 by Pope Pius XI.
In brief remarks, Pope Francis said:
Good morning to all of you! And thank you so much for being able to see you, so many girls, boys, everyone here! Thank you very much.
We must prepare for a great celebration, which will be next week, Christmas: the celebration in which we think and remember when Jesus came, he came to be with us. Let us think, let us prepare our hearts for Christmas, to receive Jesus.
Everyone thinks: what will I ask Jesus? What will I ask Jesus this Christmas? Now each of you think: what will I ask Jesus? In silence, eyes closed, and you think: what will I ask Jesus?
Have you thought about it yet? All right. Then ask. And I wish you a merry Christmas, a merry Christmas to all of you! Always with a smile, and may the Lord give you everything you want. Thank you! On the Pope’s birthday, the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, sent his well wishes.
He offered Pope Francis his “most sincere and affectionate wishes for well-being and for the fruitful continuation of your prolific magisterium.”
The Italian Bishop’s Conference took the opportunity to pray for peace in our war-torn world.
“We believe this would be the best gift for our Churches,” said the Bishops. “We, together with you, want to be artisans of peace to overcome a culture of war, hatred, ignorance, and prejudice.”
He offered Pope Francis his “most sincere and affectionate wishes for well-being and for the fruitful continuation of your prolific magisterium.”
The Italian Bishop’s Conference took the opportunity to pray for peace in our war-torn world.
“We believe this would be the best gift for our Churches,” said the Bishops. “We, together with you, want to be artisans of peace to overcome a culture of war, hatred, ignorance, and prejudice.”
Source Vatican News
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