Ofure Akhigbe
Pope Leo XIV marked his 70th birthday on Monday with heartfelt thanks to the faithful who gathered in celebration, underscoring his ongoing commitment to unity and prayer within the Church.
Thousands of devotees filled St. Peter’s Square, carrying colorful balloons, banners, and signs, cheering as the Pope addressed the crowd. “My dears, it seems you know today I have turned 70,” he said, prompting a wave of loud applause and warm smiles across the square.
In his address, Pope Leo expressed gratitude to the Lord, to his parents, and to everyone who remembered him in their prayers. Observers noted the Pope’s joyful demeanor and his emphasis on humility and faith, a reflection of his pastoral style since his election last May.
Later in the day, the Pope was scheduled to lead an ecumenical prayer service honoring 21st-century martyrs—a continuation of his focus on fostering unity among Christian denominations. His actions signal a commitment to bridging gaps within the global Christian community, a mission he has championed since his election.
Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost, became the youngest pope since 1978, ascending to the papacy at 69, when Karol Wojtyla was elected Pope John Paul II at the age of 58. Observers say his youthful energy and vision for the Church have already left a noticeable mark on Vatican life.
As celebrations continued, the faithful left the square with a renewed sense of hope and unity, inspired by a Pope who, even at 70, shows no signs of slowing in his spiritual and ecumenical mission.