Pope Francis turned 79 on Thursday‚ and celebrated his birthday by receiving a birthday cake from an Italian group‚ Azione Cattolica‚ a movement that has welcomed migrants to Italy.
A large group of children and young people from the non-political lay organisation sang “Happy Birthday” to the Pope in the Vatican.
“Your initiative in favour of Migrants in the Agrigento diocese is a very good one‚” the Pope told members of the group.
He said the migrants “arrive full of hope‚ but are also wounded and in desperate need of so much‚ including peace and bread”.
People around the world wished the Pope a Happy Birthday on social media‚ using the hashtag #HappyBirthdayPopeFrancis.
Mexican journalist Valentina Alazraki presented the Pope with a birthday cake in the shape of a sombrero.
On Wednesday‚ 90-year-old Italian singer Teddy Reno performed a song he wrote especially for Pope Francis.
On a more serious note‚ the Pope said today’s “globalization of indifference is rooted in a distorted or unbalanced humanism in which man has taken the place of God and therefore has become in turn a victim of various forms of idolatry”‚ Radio Vatican reported.
Speaking during an address while receiving new Ambassadors from India‚ Latvia‚ Guinea and Bahrain to the Holy See who were presenting their Letters of Credence‚ he called for a renewed humanism “that reinstates human beings in their correct relationship with the Creator‚ with others and with creation”.
Noting that 2015 had been marked by violent conflicts and terrorist attacks‚ the Pope said there was some good news as “a growing non-violent reaction” that is spiritual and moral was emerging.
Pope blasts 'globalisation of indifference' as he turns 79
Pope Francis turned 79 on Thursday‚ and celebrated his birthday by receiving a birthday cake from an Italian group‚ Azione Cattolica‚ a movement that has welcomed migrants to Italy.
A large group of children and young people from the non-political lay organisation sang “Happy Birthday” to the Pope in the Vatican.
“Your initiative in favour of Migrants in the Agrigento diocese is a very good one‚” the Pope told members of the group.
He said the migrants “arrive full of hope‚ but are also wounded and in desperate need of so much‚ including peace and bread”.
People around the world wished the Pope a Happy Birthday on social media‚ using the hashtag #HappyBirthdayPopeFrancis.
Mexican journalist Valentina Alazraki presented the Pope with a birthday cake in the shape of a sombrero.
On Wednesday‚ 90-year-old Italian singer Teddy Reno performed a song he wrote especially for Pope Francis.
On a more serious note‚ the Pope said today’s “globalization of indifference is rooted in a distorted or unbalanced humanism in which man has taken the place of God and therefore has become in turn a victim of various forms of idolatry”‚ Radio Vatican reported.
Speaking during an address while receiving new Ambassadors from India‚ Latvia‚ Guinea and Bahrain to the Holy See who were presenting their Letters of Credence‚ he called for a renewed humanism “that reinstates human beings in their correct relationship with the Creator‚ with others and with creation”.
Noting that 2015 had been marked by violent conflicts and terrorist attacks‚ the Pope said there was some good news as “a growing non-violent reaction” that is spiritual and moral was emerging.
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