Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, marked his 70th birthday on Sunday with heartfelt thanks to God, his parents, and the countless faithful who prayed for him. The milestone was celebrated with vibrant displays in St. Peter’s Square, where banners in English, Italian, and Spanish, along with balloons and signs, greeted the pope during his noon blessing. Peruvian devotees, including dancers in traditional attire, turned out in droves, honoring the two decades Leo spent as a missionary and bishop in their country.
“My dears, it seems you know today I have turned 70,” Leo said, smiling to the cheering crowd. “I thank the Lord, my parents, and all those who remembered me in their prayers.”
Elected in May 2024 as the youngest Pope since John Paul II in 1978, the former Robert Prevost, now 70, has quickly become a beacon of hope for Catholics navigating turbulent times. Later Sunday, he led an ecumenical prayer service commemorating 21st-century martyrs, reflecting his commitment to unity and remembrance.
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The square buzzed with well-wishers aware of the weighty responsibilities Leo shoulders. “He needs immense support to lead the Church through these complex geopolitical and internal challenges,” said Lorenzo Vecchio, a member of a Catholic university group. “We’re thrilled to have such a youthful pope.”
Celso Fernandez, a Rome resident from Leo’s former diocese in Chiclayo, Peru, shared fond memories of celebrating the pope’s birthday alongside a local religious feast. “Now we come to him for his birthday,” Fernandez said, highlighting the deep bond with his former bishop.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni joined the chorus of global leaders, praising Leo’s teachings as “reliable and solid guidance” in an era of wavering certainties and rapid change. Her statement underscored the pope’s growing influence as a moral anchor in a fractured world.
As congratulations poured in, Leo’s milestone birthday not only celebrated his personal journey but also reaffirmed his mission to steer the Catholic Church with compassion and resilience through challenging times.
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