Kids help pope celebrate 86th birthday with cake, circus performers December 19, 2022By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The day after he turned 86, Pope Francis met with volunteers, family members and children receiving care from a Vatican pediatric clinic. The group of children receiving assistance from the Vatican’s St. Martha Dispensary, a maternal and pediatric clinic, were treated to a show by circus performers in the Vatican’s Paul VI hall Dec. 18, and to a large white sheet cake adorned with one tall candle. The pope thanked his guests for their visit and for a “day of joy that helps us prepare for Christmas.” He also reminded everyone to not forget to pray for the children of Ukraine — “so many children who suffer because of war and they suffer also in other places because of injustice.” Read More Vatican News Pope: Church venerates Christian martyrs from all denominations Pope meets Israeli citizens freed from captivity in Gaza Selfishness is blocking progress on climate change, cardinal says Perpetrators of abuse are clever; vigilance is critical, speakers say Devotion to Mary leads people to Jesus, to helping others, pope says Pope encourages U.S. Catholic donors to act synodally, with love Copyright © 2022 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Print
