Pope
Francis turned 77 on Tuesday, he marked his birthday with the customary
morning mass in the guest house where he has opted to live, instead of
the spacious papal apartments used by his predecessors.
Four homeless people who live on the streets near the Holy See were
invited to take part by an official who administers the pope's charity
and stayed for breakfast with the pope and his aides.
It was Pope Francis’s 77th birthday on Tuesday and those present at
his morning Mass included Archbishop Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of
State and Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Dean of the College of Cardinals,
together with staff from the Santa Marta guesthouse.
The Pope wanted a "family" environment, with just a few top aides,
the staff of Casa Santa Marta – the Vatican guesthouse – and the
homeless men, one of whom brought his dog, the Vatican said.
The congregation also included the Almoner Monsignor Konrad Krajewski
who brought with him the 4 homeless men who live in the streets around
the Vatican.
After the mass, all those present wished the Pope a happy birthday
and sang greetings to him before joining him for breakfast in the
Vatican guesthouse.
Today’s reading was centered on the genealogy of Jesus and the Pope
used this in his homily to reflect on God’s enduring presence in our
lives throughout history.
He said “God wished to live out his life alongside us” and “took his
surname from each of us.” “God,” the Pope continued, “has always walked
alongside his people,” beginning with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
He did not want to come to redeem us without coming to live among us and share our lives.
The Pope said this long list of God’s people included “saints and sinners.”
The latter included “high level sinners who committed serious sins and who didn’t listen” to God’s plans for them.
Pope Francis said in addition to accompanying us in our lives our God
follows us and in this way, he displays His humility, His patience and
His love for us.
He concluded his homily with “a Christmas wish” for all of us “to allow God to write our lives for us.”
The Vatican has released an interactive card in honour of Pope
Francis's 77th birthday, as the pontiff invited some homeless men to his
residence to share a meal with him.
The interactive – which can be viewed on the Vatican's website –
contains more than 30 photos of the pope accompanied by quotes from
various homilies he has given over the past nine months.
Source: Radio Vaticana
Source: UK Guardian
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