Pope Francis marks his 80th birthday on Saturday (December 17).
Keeping true to his low-key style, no special celebrations have been planned to mark the occasion, but he will celebrate mass as usual in the morning and be joined by some of his cardinals.
The grandson of Italians who emigrated to Argentina during the Depression, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was born into a middle-class family in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936.
He became a priest at 32, nearly a decade after losing part of a lung due to respiratory illness and quitting his chemistry studies. Despite his late start, he was leading the local Jesuit community within four years, holding the post of provincial superior of the Argentine Jesuits from 1973 to 1979.
Francis, the first non-European pope in 1,300 years, has shaken up the Vatican with his simple style and moved to restore credibility to a Roman Catholic Church rattled to its core by financial and sexual scandals.
The first pope from Latin America, Francis is also the first pontiff in six centuries to take over the helm of the Church in the wake of a resignation of another pope - Benedict XVI.
From his very first informal words and gestures on the night of his election on March 13, 2013, Francis has endeared millions.
“Brothers and sisters, good evening,” were his first words from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, choosing to eschew the traditional opening salutation “Praised be Jesus Christ!” preferred by his predecessors.
He took the name Francis - the first time a pope has done so - in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the saint associated with peace, simplicity, concern for the poor, and respect for the environment.
Francis will spend his morning in his residence at the Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican and is unlikely to want a fuss made of his birthday, but he is partial to cake, so hopefully someone will present him with one.
REUTERS
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