Pope Leo XIV expressed his gratitude to God, his parents, and all those who remembered him in their prayers as he celebrated his 70th birthday. “It seems you already know: today I turn 70. I give thanks to the Lord, to my parents, and I thank all those who had a remembrance in prayer,” the Pontiff said at the end of the Angelus prayer. The square erupted in applause, and bands began to play to wish him well.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella conveyed his wishes in a formal message, expressing his hope to welcome the Pope soon at the Quirinal Palace. He assured the Holy Father of the Italian Republic’s continued collaboration, noting that his message of respect for human dignity, service, and unity reflects the values of the Italian Constitution.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in her birthday message, described politics as “a mission at the service of the person.” She highlighted the recent canonizations of two young Italian saints, Piergiorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis, as a concrete rebuttal to the notion of a ‘lost’ youth. She stated their lives demonstrate that faith is an inexhaustible source of strength, especially for those in political life.
Senate President Ignazio La Russa extended the Senate’s warmest wishes, calling the Pope’s authoritative teachings “a sure guide in a very difficult historical period torn by wars and tensions worldwide.”
Lorenzo Fontana, President of the Chamber of Deputies, thanked the Pope for his “firm spiritual guidance and commitment to peace,” noting his attention to the international scenario and his closeness to the persecuted as an essential point of reference.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called Pope Leo XIV “a beacon of hope for all of us,” conveying his wishes during a public event.
The Diocese of Rome also sent its wishes through Cardinal Baldassare Reina, the Pope’s vicar general for the diocese. The message expressed shared concern for global war zones and wished the Pope the ability to realize his heart’s desires and continue sowing hope.