Pope Francis kept a busy schedule of appointments on his 86th birthday.
However, those he met with didn’t forget his special day.
Before awarding the Mother Teresa prize to three recipients, the Pope was given bouquets of sunflowers by the Missionaries of Charity.
He also met with a group of seminarians from Rome, and the president of Slovenia.
Later in the day, the Pope met with artists performing at the Vatican’s annual Christmas Concert for Peace. They played him songs with drums and bagpipes, which of course included “Happy Birthday.”
The following day the Pope invited a group of children receiving aid from the Santa Marta Pediatric Dispensary to the Vatican, with their families and volunteers.
They sang him happy birthday and presented him with a cake, before he encouraged a bit of mischief.
“And now, take some frosting, take it, take it, and in the mouth. Is it good? Go ahead,” the Pope said.
A group then performed circus tricks, and even the Pope participated.