Pope Leo XIV has marked his 70th birthday with a message of thanksgiving, expressing gratitude to God, his late parents, and to those who offered prayers on his behalf.
In a post shared on his official X handle, the pontiff wrote, “Dear friends, today I turn seventy years old. I give thanks to the Lord and to my parents; and I thank all those who have remembered me in their prayers.”
The milestone comes just months into his papacy, which has been characterised by calls for humility, missionary zeal, care for the poor, and respect for creation.
Before his election, the former Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost served for years in Peru, where he worked closely with marginalised communities, an experience that continues to shape his priorities as head of the Catholic Church.
Since assuming office, he has emphasised reconciliation in a divided world, spoken forcefully on climate and environmental justice, and urged Christian leaders to embrace service over power.
As Catholics around the world send birthday wishes, his message of gratitude is being seen as a reflection of his broader vision of a papacy rooted in simplicity, compassion, and presence
