On the occasion of Benedict XVI’s 86th
birthday, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, began the celebration of Mass
in the chapel of the Domus Santa Maria by inviting all present to pray
for the pope emeritus.
“Today is the birthday of Benedict XVI. Let us
offer Mass for him, that the Lord might be with him, comfort him, and
give him much consolation.”
Later in the morning, Pope Francis
called Benedict to offer him “best wishes” on his birthday.
The Holy
Father also greeted Benedict’s brother, Monsignor Georg Ratzinger, who
has been staying at Castel Gandolfo to celebrate the occasion, and who,
like Pope Francis [Jorge Maria Bergoglio] will celebrate his onomastico, or Name Day, on April 23 – the feast of Saint George.