Screenshot CTV - A "sombrero" for the Pope's 79th birthday

Happy 79th Birthday, Pope Francis!

Around World, Holy Father Given Birthday Wishes via #HappyBirthdayPopeFrancis; In Vatican, Given Sombrero-shaped Birthday Cake and Songs

diciembre 17, 2015 14:44Deborah Castellano LubovMeetings

Pope Francis has turned 79 today and many can’t wait to wish him Happy Birthday!

On social media, Twitter is using the hashtag #HappyBirthdayPopeFrancis, Facebook is full of posts, and even on LinkedIn, word has spread.

During the General Audience yesterday, the faithful in St. Peter’s Square sang birthday wishes for the Pope, and Mexican journalist Valentina Alazraki gave him a birthday cake, in the shape of a sombrero.

Teddy Reno, a 90-year-old Italian singer, wrote a song for Pope Francis’ day, which he sang for the Pontiff.

This morning, the Italian President, Sergio Mattarella, also sent the Pope birthday wishes. (D.C.L.)

diciembre 17, 2015 14:44Meetings

Deborah Castellano Lubov

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Deborah Castellano Lubov is Senior Vatican & Rome Correspondent for ZENIT; author of 'The Other Francis' ('L'Altro Francesco') featuring interviews with those closest to the Pope and preface by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin (currently published in 5 languages); Deborah is also NBC & MSNBC Vatican Analyst. She often covers the Pope's travels abroad, often from the Papal Flight (including for historic trips such as to Abu Dhabi and Japan & Thailand), and has also asked him questions on the return-flight press conference on behalf of the English-speaking press present. Lubov has done much TV & radio commentary, including for NBC, Sky, EWTN, BBC, Vatican Radio, AP, Reuters and more. She also has contributed to various books on the Pope and has written for various Catholic publications. For 'The Other Francis': http://www.gracewing.co.uk/page219.html or https://www.amazon.com/Other-Francis-Everything-They-about/dp/0852449348/