Birthday wishes have been coming in from around the world for Pope Benedict XVI who turns 84 today.
The latest edition of L’Osservatore Romano reports that “political and religious authorities, men of culture and many faithful are expressing respect and affection for the Pope, who has been spending it as a normal workday.”
One of the first to offer the Holy Father greetings was Queen Elizabeth II. “On the occasion of your eighty fourth birthday, I have much pleasure in sending my warmest felicitations and prayers to Your Holiness, recalling with great fondness the memorable visit of Your Holiness to the United Kingdom,” the queen wrote in a message made public yesterday. The English monarch is also 84, but turns 85 on Holy Thursday.
One of the first cards received this morning was from the Italian Bishops’ Conference. The bishops assured the Holy Father of their prayers and “much affection in grateful remembrance of his person and his total dedication and loving service to the Church and humanity.”
Greetings were also received from the heads of other episcopal conferences as well as heads of state and government.
The president of the Italian Senate, Renato Schifani, sent a telegram to Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone, asking him to “express to the Holy Father sentiments of profound gratitude to the authority of his teaching, the depth of his thought, unceasing pastoral commitment, and his witness of hope.” He also underlined his” message of true courage and consistency for the common good and future generations.”
A special wish came from Reinhard Richardi, a friend of Joseph Ratzinger for over forty years and a resident of Pentling in Bavaria where the Pope once lived. Richardi, a former professor of employment rights at the University of Regensburg, told the Italian bishops’ newspaper Avvenire that “through his writings, Pope Ratzinger has entered into the soul of Germans.”
Meanwhile, Bishop Josef Clemens, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, and long-time secretary to then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger when he was Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has recalled the many birthday’s he has celebrated with the Pope.
“I have celebrated his birthday with him over the past 27 years and I remember in particular his 60th here in Rome: it was also Holy Thursday, many pilgrims had come for the week and we had a really big celebration in his titular church and there was also an audience with Pope John Paul II,” he told Vatican Radio.
“Then I remember his 65th, when we were together in Jerusalem. Then there was his 75th birthday which we celebrated at my house with a small group of friends and we had a nice, private dinner. And finally, of course, I remember the cardinal’s last birthday, 16 April 2005, we celebrated it together, just the three of us: there was the Cardinal, was his assistant, Ingrid Stampa, and I”.
Bishop Clemens noted the coincidence of Benedict XVI’s birthday in relation to Easter and his election as Pope. “Easter is an important aspect right from the beginning of Joseph Ratzinger’s life. He was baptised on Holy Saturday very early in the morning, as was the custom in Bavaria”, and just three days after his birthday in 2005 he was elected Pope.
Happy Birthday Holy Father!
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Happy Birthday, Holy Father.
At mass this morning, Jesus told me that He is here and in Jerusalem, in the location of His Mother’s home. I needed to tell someone and not sure where to go with this information. I
God Bless All and Praise be to God,
May God guard and guide Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, today on his 84th birthday, tomorrow, and always! May our Holy Father continue to see the fruits of his labors as he proclaims to all the nations the TRUTH of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. ~ “If you live according to my teaching, you are truly my disciples; then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”* GOD BLESS OUR HOLY FATHER TO THE MAX! HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPA! ~jmj~ *John 8:31-32
I truly believe that Pope Benedict XVI came to the papacy already a saint. He is unbelievable in all that he does w/such simplicity, humility, graciousness, gentleness, strength of character, veracity, and total charity for all.
One can not help but be drawn to such a man who never draws attention to himself and is amazed whenever he is the focus of attention, despite his being a paragon of wisdom and kindliness. May God grant him many happy years and many more among us who would be so much poorer w/o him. He is a model of patience and very virtue - absolutely amazing.
May our Lord and our Lady and his patron St. Joseph watch over him and keep him.
To this most sublime Servant of God and standard-bearer of truth in our age, a wish for continued good health and a long reign as our Holy Father. We love you, respect you and honor you Pope Benedict XVI.
Dear Beloved Holy Father, Thank you so much for your perpetual devotion to our Church. You are always in my daily prayers for your health and strength to fulfill your great responsibilities as the successor of Peter. Heartfelt Best Wishes on your 84th birthday. With deepest affection and fidelity and prayerful gratitude, Carol Raphael BROSNAN
Dear Beloved Holy Father, Thank you for your perpetual devotion to our Church. You are always in my daily prayers for your good health and strength to fulfill your great responsibilities as the successor of Peter. In prayerful gratitude and with deepest affection and fidelity, Carol Raphael Brosnan
Dear Holy Father, You are a gift to the Church. May you always be filled with the Holy Spirit to watch over and tend the Lord’s flock with great love & enthusiasm. Your intentions are always in my daily offerings. With much thanks & love. Ludwyn Buslig
Happy Birthday Holy Father
happy birthday Pope Benedict.
Einen herzlichen Glueckwuensch und Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!!
I WANT TO WISH OUR HOLY FATHER A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND MANY MORE. GOD BLESS YOU POPE BENEDICT.
Happy Birthday, Papa Ben! You are in my thoughts and prayers everyday.
Happy birthday Holy Father! May you live 30 more years. We need your strength and charity. And after that, may you be beatified as quickly as your predecessor.
Happy Birthday Holy Father! I hope your prayers are all fulfilled and that you have your favorite birthday dessert!
Happy Birthday Holy Father!! And may God bless you with many more!
Happy Birthday Holy Father! May God always bless you, guide you, and protect you. May our Lord, Jesus Christ and the Blessed Mother Mary always keep you in His tender mercy.
HAPPY, HAPPY AND BLESSED BIRTHDAY PAPA BENEDICT. YOU ARE ALREADY A SAINT. YOUR LOVE AND CARE FOR CHRIST’S SHEEP AND YOUR FIDELITY TO HIS GOSPEL IS AN INSPIRATION TO ALL WHO LOVE GOD AND HIS TRUTH. MAY THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD AND YOUR PATRON PROTECT YOU ALWAYS
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR HOLY FATHER. MAY GOD ALSWAYS BLESS YOU, GUIDE YOU, AND PROTECT YOU EVERYDAY OF YOUR LIFE. YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO US ALL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU WITH MANY MORE WONDERFUL YEARS.
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