Pope Francis Shares 77th Birthday With Homeless, Also Named 'Person of the Year' by U.S. Gay Rights Magazine (Photos/Videos)
True to his advocacy of simplicity and humility, Pope Francis celebrated his 77th birthday, and his first since becoming the spiritual leader of the 1.2-billion strong Roman Catholic Church, without glitz and pomp.
On Dec 17, the pope started the day by celebrating the usual daily morning Mass in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae. He specifically requested the Vatican staff to join "in order to create a particularly family atmosphere for the celebration," the Vatican press office said in a written statement.
Afterwards, he enjoyed a simple breakfast with three homeless people and a dog in the Vatican. These people were already present during the Mass. It was Archbishop Konrad Krajewski, the papal almoner, who reportedly chose the four homeless people. The group were said to be often seen near the Vatican.
Unconsumed by the accolades being given to him since his installation in March 2013 as the 266th supreme pontiff, Pope Francis alluded in his birthday mass Homily that "let the Lord write our history."
Video Source: YouTube/ romereports
During his birthday breakfast, he spoke to the three homeless people one by one, giving each the same loving attention.
Also present during the Mass were Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, representing the world's cardinals, and Archbishop Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State.
Low profile and humble he may be, Pope Francis also knows how to enjoy a good time when he knows he needs it. The spiritual leader is expecting to receive as guests on his birthday a six-person delegation from San Lorenzo de Almagro, his favourite soccer team. The pope has been a fan of the team since he was a boy, and since 2008, a dues-paying member of the club.
Moreover, he is most excited to receive one special, priceless gift - a replica of the team's recent Argentine national championship trophy, a first in six years.
"What joy!" Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported of Pope Francis' reaction when he heard his favourite team won.
"When [the club vice president] visited the pope a few months ago, Francis asked him to win the championship," Bernardo Romeo, San Lorenzo manager, said. "We're going to offer him the trophy as he is the world's most powerful man, we're proud and excited for the trip."
The delegation is expected to arrive in Rome anytime on Tuesday, having flown from Argentina on Monday night on a private plane.
Video Source: YouTube/ AssociatedPress
"Arriving on such as special day, like the 77th birthday of the pope, this meeting seems made for God," Marcelo Tinelli, the team's vice president, said shortly before departure.
On Tuesday, Pope Francis received yet another gift which can be considered priceless - the respect of the U.S. LGBT community. Advocate Magazine, the U.S. oldest gay rights magazine, also conferred on him its Person of the Year award.
Although the LGBT community knows and accepts that Pope Francis continues to be against homosexual marriage, the magazine awarded him the distinction because his pontificate had shown "stark change in (anti-gay) rhetoric from his two predecessors."
"If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?" Such words the pope uttered in July 2013 melted the hearts of the LGBT community.
It has been "of the most encouraging words a pontiff has ever spoken about gay and lesbian people."
The Vatican stressed, however, while the pope and the religious institution do not condone homosexual tendencies as sinful, still homosexual acts are.
The LGBT community interpreted the pope's words as more compassionate and less condemning.
No one should "underestimate any pope's capacity for persuading hearts and minds in opening to LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual) people," the Advocate magazine said.
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