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 urges war-torn world to walk through door of peace on Christmas Pope at Christmas: Jesus’ birth brings hope for world of justice, peace Pope opens Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, launching ‘Jubilee of Hope’ Caritas, Jubilee USA present Holy Year debt-relief project Pope condemns ‘hypocrisy’ of exalting peace while waging war Pope, suffering a cold, focuses on mothers and children before Christmas Copyright © 2022 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Print
