"Dear friends, it seems that you know that today I turn seventy years old," Pope Leo expressed with joy at the end of the Angelus address on this September 14.
Before a large crowd of faithful who sang him happy birthday, the Pontiff, visibly moved, thanked God, his parents and all those who pray for him.
In St. Peter's Square, large banners were unfurled by the thousands of faithful present, including nearly 2,000 Peruvians living in Rome, to wish Leo XIV a happy birthday, his first as pope.
Touched by this attention, the pontiff warmly thanked all the groups who came from diverse backgrounds: Chile, the Czech Republic, and several Italian dioceses.
I give thanks to the Lord and to my parents; and I thank all those who have remembered me in their prayers. Many thanks to everyone!
The Pope's words of thanks were interrupted by the crowd and several marching bands who sang a happy birthday song for him.
Robert Francis Prevost was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, the third and youngest child of Louis Prevost and Mildred Martinéz.
"Thank you! Have a good Sunday!" exclaimed the Pope, his voice filled with emotion, before giving a long salute from the window of the Apostolic Palace to the enthusiastic crowd who were cheering.
