Thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday to join in celebrating Pope Francis’ 78th birthday.
The Associated Press reported that the Argentinean pontiff was treated to cake, cards, a Tango demonstration and chicken meat, which will be sent to local soup kitchens.
Euro News noted that Francis also had a cup of mate tea. Yerba mate comes from his homeland.
The popular pope greeted the crowds and thanked those who sang Happy Birthday to him in Spanish. He then took a moment to remember all the victims of the recent terror attacks around the world.
"May the Lord receive in his peace the dead, comfort the relatives and convert the hearts of the violent who don't even stop in the face of children," he said referencing Tuesday’s attack that killed more than 100 school children in Pakistan.
Francis succeeded Pope Benedict XVI and began his papacy in March of 2013. He is the first pope from South America and worked as chemical technician and nightclub bouncer before he was ordained to the priesthood in 1969.
image courtesy of INFphoto.com