Pope Francis celebrated his 87th birthday today, Sunday, with a "circus party" in the Paul VI Hall of the Vatican in which there was cake and was accompanied by children and their families from a pediatric hospital of the Holy See. Traditionally in the Vatican, birthdays are not celebrated, but rather name days, but Francis's birthday "party" has already become a tradition.
According to Vatican News, Francis went to the Paul VI Hall of the Vatican, very close to his personal residence, to participate in the party organized by the Santa Marta Dispensary, a pediatric center of the Holy See founded a century ago, in 1922.
More than 200 families who go to said hospital, as well as their doctors and volunteers, participated in the event, and it was entertained by shows and juggling by a circus group. The pontiff, recently suffering from bronchitis, also had a cake in which he was represented surrounded by children and other people.
"Good morning everyone and thank you very much for being able to see so many girls and boys here!" the Pope thanked the guests at his birthday. Francis asked the children to prepare "for the great party" of Christmas and think about what they will ask of Jesus.
"Have you thought about it yet? Okay. Then you ask for it. I wish you all a Merry Christmas. Always with a smile and may the Lord grant you everything you wish for," he concluded.
He then appeared before the world to recite the Sunday Angelus from the window of the Apostolic Palace and took the opportunity to bless the "Jesus Children" that Roman children traditionally take to St. Peter's Square on the third Sunday of Advent.
Among the hundreds of faithful who prayed the Angelus from Vatican Square, some displayed signs that read "Congratulations." The celebration takes place in the midst of Francisco's well-known health problems, with difficulties walking due to his knee pain, which forces him to often be carried in a wheelchair.
Recently he has even had to suspend part of his agenda, such as the trip he planned to take to the Dubai climate summit, due to bronchitis.
Although the pope has already participated in public events again, such as the veneration of the Immaculate Conception in the center of Rome, and in a week he will begin the Christmas rites.
