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Pope celebrates 84th birthday

Pope John Paul II gives his blessing after meeting with a delegation from Portugal. Pope John Paul II gives his blessing after meeting with a delegation from Portugal. (Associated PressAssociated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press
Pope John Paul II gives his blessing after meeting with a delegation from Portugal. Pope John Paul II gives his blessing after meeting with a delegation from Portugal. (Associated PressAssociated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

VATICAN CITY – Pope John Paul II turned 84 Tuesday, beaming as well-wishers sang “Happy Birthday” and thanking God for the “gift of life.”

The frail pontiff insisted on keeping up his regular busy schedule but set aside time for a birthday lunch and cake with his closest aides.

The occasion also was marked by publication of his latest book, which mixes memories from his native Poland, a touch of self-criticism and a defense of priestly celibacy.

“It will be a regular working day and above all a thanks to God for the gift of life,” said Vatican spokesman Joaquin-Navarro Valls. He reported that the Vatican had been flooded with birthday greetings.

John Paul, who marked 25 years in the papacy in October and has since become the third-longest serving pope in history, is pushing ahead despite Parkinson’s disease and hip and knee ailments. He plans a two-day trip to Switzerland early next month, his first foreign travel since a pilgrimage to Slovakia in September.

On Tuesday, he received visiting American bishops and Prime Minister Jose Durao Barroso of Portugal, whose delegation broke into “Happy Birthday” in Portuguese. The pope was clearly pleased, smiling and raising his right hand to bless the group.

In the evening, John Paul held a meeting with the president of Poland, and the visiting delegation sang a traditional Polish mountain song to mark John Paul’s birthday.

“To the ever-young custodian of peace,” said the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano in its birthday greeting.