Pope Francis's Birthday

Lacy, Eleanor and I head out this morning for Abbeville, LA and Betty's RV Park.  It'll be a relaxing (I hope) 100-mile jaunt.  Since I've been so hyped about the new Pope, I'm reminded that today is his birthday.  This is how he started his day:

From "Seasons of Grace" today . . . 

Four Men and a Dog: Pope Francis’ Birthday Breakfast with His Homeless Neighbors

December 17, 2013 By Kathy Schiffer Leave a Comment

Pope Francis began his 77^th birthday as he begins every other day:  by celebrating Mass in the chapel at the Domus Sanctae Marthae.

Pope Francis with four homeless men following morning Mass in the Domus Sanctae Marthae

This morning, though, the faithful who gathered to pray with him were not cardinals or foreign dignitaries.  Joining the Pope for Mass and a special birthday breakfast were his household staff, four homeless men and a dog.  Also attending and concelebrating the Mass with the Pope were Archbishop Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State, and Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Dean of the College of Cardinals.

The homeless men, who live in the area around St. Peter’s Basilica, had been invited by Almoner Monsignor Konrad Krajewski.  After the Mass, as one of the men held his dog in his arms, they joined the household staff in feting the Holy Father with a rousing “Happy Birthday” (I think that’s “Buon Compleanno” in Italian).  Then all were invited to a “family-style” breakfast in the guesthouse.