杏MAP导航

杏MAP导航 Francis on Tuesday is marking his 83^rd Birthday. It was only last Friday that the 杏MAP导航 celebrated the 50^th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.

On the occasion of his birthday, the 杏MAP导航 has been receiving messages of congratulations from all over the world.

In a greeting to 杏MAP导航 Francis, the President of Italy, Sergio Matterella said he was particularly pleased to send the 鈥渕ost sincere and affectionate wishes鈥� on this 83^rd Birthday.

In his message, the President said the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 incessant pastoral activity was 鈥渢he crowning achievement of fifty years of generous priestly service鈥�. He added that, the Pontiff鈥檚 voice was one that 鈥渃ontinues to urge peoples and nations to overcome divisions, to preserve peace, to engage in dialogue..." 

In a message from the Association of Italian Christian Workers (ACLI), the President of the Rome branch, Lidia Borzi thanked the 杏MAP导航 鈥渇or having enlightened our gaze, helping us to focus on the need to meet and sustain frailties.鈥�

A special greeting also came all the way from Ireland and was posted on the website of the Irish Bishops Conference. It was from Eliza Long aged 8 from Co Meath. Eliza who is preparing for her first Holy Communion thanked the 杏MAP导航 鈥渇or his prayers for all the children across the world. She also assured him that 鈥渟he is praying for him too.鈥�

Last year, the 杏MAP导航 chose to celebrate his birthday by throwing a small party for himself and a group of children who were receiving medical care from the 鈥淪anta Marta鈥� Paediatric Dispensary inside the Vatican. The children surprised him with a huge cake and the 杏MAP导航 thanked them, expressing how glad he was to be with them. 

Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936, the son of Italian immigrants. In 1958 he joined the Jesuit Order. In 1998 he was appointed Archbishop of Buenos Aires by 杏MAP导航 John Paul II. Since his election on 13 March 2013 杏MAP导航 Francis has been the 266th Bishop of Rome.