Vatican : Pope Francis is celebrating the 47th anniversary of his priestly ordination on Tuesday 13th December. He will soon mark another milestone, when he turns 80 years old on Saturday 17th December.
According to his staff, Pope Francis will be working “just as normal” on the day itself. He will receive the President of Malta in an audience and will later meet with the Prefect of the Congregation of Bishops, Cardinal Marc Oullet, as well as other guests and dignitaries. He will also celebrate Mass in the Pauline Chapel of the Vatican, along with those Cardinals who are living and working in Rome.
Seven new Vatican email addresses have been created, to allow well wishers to leave Birthday messages for the Pope. Messages can be left in Italian, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Polish and Latin.
The email addresses are: Papafranciscus80@vatican.va (Latin) PapaFrancesco80@vatican.va (Italian) PapaFrancisco80@vatican.va (Spanish / Portuguese) PopeFrancis80@vatican.va (English) PapeFrancois80@vatican.va (French) PapstFranziskus80@vatican.va (German) PapiezFranciszek80@vatican.va (Polish)
A social media hashtag has also been created. #Ponitfex80
(source: Vatican Radio)