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 A father’s farewell: Journalist recalls personal bond with Pope Francis in new book Pope Leo arrives in Angola, calls for fostering ‘just model of coexistence’ Pope Leo XIV rejects media ‘narrative’ his Africa remarks targeted Trump Pope Leo year one: How Chiclayo’s bishop brought his grounded leadership to global church Pope Leo named one of Time magazine’s ‘100 Most Influential People of 2026’ With candor, Pope Leo confronts Cameroon’s ongoing abductions, killings in plea for peace Copyright © 2022 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Print
