As well-wishes pour in for his birthday, Pope Francis encourages Christians to prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas.
By Devin Watkins
Pope Francis turned 87 years old on Sunday, 17 December.
As he often does ahead of Christmas, the Pope spent a few moments with children and families assisted by the Santa Marta Dispensary, who presented him with a birthday cake and sang ‘Happy Birthday’.
The Santa Marta Dispensary has provided medical assistance to children and families in need for over 90 years, and is based just a stone’s throw away from the Pope’s residence inside the Vatican. It was established in 1922 by Pope Pius XI.
Birthday cake for Pope Francis
Preparing our hearts for Christmas
In brief remarks, Pope Francis thanked those present for their birthday wishes.
He also urged everyone to prepare ourselves to receive Jesus as Christians celebrate His birth at Christmas.
“We need to prepare ourselves for the great feast of Christmas, which will be next week,” he said. “It is the feast when we think and recall when Jesus came among us. He came to be with us.”
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