Pope Francis turns 87 today. and celebrated it with a party attended by more than two hundred families and children treated at the Santa Marta Dispensary, supported by the congratulations of the authorities and people from all over the world.

Traditionally, the Vatican celebrates not birthdays, but name days, but a “party” to mark Francis’ birthday. This has already become a tradition.

This morning Francis went to the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, located very close to his personal residence, to take part in a party organized by the Santa Marta dispensary, pediatric center of the Holy See, founded a hundred years ago, in 1922.

More than 200 families took part in the event. who come to the said hospital, as well as its doctors and volunteers, with songs, dances, a “little circus performance” and, otherwise, a birthday cake.

Francis then appeared before the world to read Sunday Angelus from the window of the Apostolic Palace.

Pope condemns attack on Gaza parish involving ‘unarmed civilians’

The Pope today condemned the attack on the Holy Family parish in the Gaza Strip, in which two women were killed, and said that inside “There are no terrorists,” there are “unarmed civilians” and nuns.

“I continue to receive very serious and painful news from Gaza. Unarmed civilians are being shot, and this has even happened in the Holy Family parish complex. where there are no terrorists, but there are families, children, the sick, the disabled and nuns,” – the pontiff lamented after the Angelus from the window of the Apostolic Palace.

Argentine Pontiff reported the murder of a mother and her daughter, whose names he spoke publicly “while they were going to the bathroom.”

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Francis was referring to an attack by Israeli forces on a Christian parish in the Gaza Strip, which he did not mention. hinting that there is a missile launcher hidden inside, inform Vatican News.

“The house of the nuns of Mother Teresa was damaged, His generator went off… Some say it’s terrorism. This is war and terrorism. Scripture states that God stops war, breaks bows and spears. Let us pray to the Lord for peace,” he said to hundreds of believers listening to him in St. Peter’s Square.

“Let’s not forget our brothers and sisters who They are suffering from war in Ukraine, Palestine, Israel and other conflict zones. May the nearness of Christmas strengthen the commitment to opening the paths of peace,” he predicted.

Francis calls for ‘humanitarian response’ to immigrants from Darien jungle

In addition, Pope Francis today expressed regret over the situation with Thousands of immigrants cross the dangerous Darien jungle between Colombia and Panamaand called for a “humanitarian response” to “avoid this tragic reality.”

“I want to remember the thousands of immigrants who try to cross the jungle between Colombia and Panama. Often these are families with children who go on dangerous routes. deceived by those who falsely promise them a short and safe routethey mocked and robbed,” he said after praying to the Angelus from the window of the Apostolic Palace.

And he added: “They cannot die in this jungle. Joint efforts by the countries most directly concerned are needed. and the international community to prevent this tragic reality from being silenced and to offer a humanitarian response.”

Darien Gap, a region of jungle that separates South America from Central America and where More than 500,000 migrants have crossed the border this year. It has become one of the busiest routes on the continent and at the same time the most dangerous.

In it, migrants, in addition to having to cross a jungle full of natural dangers,are subjected to violence due to the presence of human trafficking networks that practice extortion and kidnapping.

Birthday amid health problems

Francisco’s birthday celebration comes amid Francisco’s well-known health issues. difficulty walking due to knee pain because of which he is often carried in a wheelchair.

On the other hand, he recently had to pause part of your scheduleas was the trip he planned to take to the climate summit in Dubai due to bronchitis.

Although the Pope has already participated in public events on several occasions, such as the veneration of the Immaculate Conception in the center of Rome and In a week, Christmas rituals will begin.

On the other hand, on the eve of his birthday, the Vatican court sentenced nine people for a financial scandal, including 5 and a half years in prison. Cardinal Angelo Becci, who was his Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints (2018-2020) and number 3 of the Secretariat of State (2011 and 2018).

(according to information from EFE)