
Pope Francis celebrated his 80th birthday on Saturday, sharing breakfast with eight homeless people before he celebrated Mass with some of his cardinals.
Pope Francis talked with each of the homeless guests which comprised of four Italians, two Romanians, a Moldovan and a Peruvian, The breakfast took place at the Vatican hotel where he resides. The group feasted on traditional Argentinian cakes before celebrating to Mass with the Holy Father the Vatican said.
He added: “I hope it will be the same for me.”
Later in the day the Pope met with Malta’s president.
U.S. President Barack Obama said Francis “has inspired people around the world with his message of compassion, hope and peace,” while Italian President Sergio Mattarella, recalled that the pope has called on Europeans to show solidarity with the less fortunate, in particular “migrants and all those who live at society’s margins.”
To help others celebrate his special day the pope sent enough birthday cakes for 1,500 people to kitchens serving the poor and homeless in Rome