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Pope Leo XIV Celebrates 70th Birthday, Reflects on Papacy’s “Huge Learning Curve”
Vatican City – Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, celebrated his 70th birthday Sunday with well-wishers in St. Peter’s Square, marking the occasion with a traditional noon blessing.
The festive atmosphere included “Happy Birthday” banners in multiple languages, balloons, and even traditional Peruvian dancers, a nod to the Pope’s extensive missionary work in the country. “My dears, it seems you know today I have turned 70,” a jovial Pope Leo addressed the crowd.
“I thank the Lord, my parents and all those who remembered me in their prayers.” Later, he presided over an ecumenical prayer service honoring 21st-century martyrs.
In excerpts of an interview released on his birthday, the Pope reflected on his first year in office, describing a “huge learning curve.” While he quickly adapted to the pastoral aspects of leading the Catholic Church, the international diplomacy required of a world leader presented a steeper challenge.
“The totally new aspect to this job is being thrown onto the level of world leader,” he admitted. “I’m learning a lot and feeling very challenged, but not overwhelmed.”
He likened the experience to “jumping in on the deep end of the pool very quickly.”
The interview, conducted by Vatican correspondent Elise Ann Allen for an upcoming biography, also touched upon the Pope’s dual identity as an American and Peruvian, shaped by two decades of missionary work in Peru. He expressed a deep appreciation for the Latin American church and the influence of his predecessor, Pope Francis, the first South American pope. He even drew a lighthearted parallel between his own upbringing with parents supporting rival Chicago baseball teams and the importance of open dialogue, even in the face of competition.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni issued a birthday greeting praising the Pope’s teachings as “reliable and solid guidance in extremely complex times.” Among the well-wishers in St.
Peter’s Square, Lorenzo Vecchio, a member of a Catholic university group, acknowledged the significant responsibilities facing the relatively young pontiff. “He definitely needs a lot of support,” Vecchio commented, referencing the current geopolitical and internal challenges facing the Church.
He expressed gratitude for having “a very young pope.”