Vatican Radio is reporting that Pope Francis started his day with morning Mass in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae which was attended by the staff of his Vatican residence "in order to create a particularly family atmosphere for the celebration," the Vatican press office said in a written statement.

Also in attendance was the Almoner Monsignor Konrad Krajewski who brought with him four homeless men who live in the streets around the Vatican.

When Mass concluded, everyone sang Happy Birthday to the Pope, then joined him for festive breakfast at the Vatican guesthouse.

The rest of the pope's day proceeded as usual.

CNSNews.com reports that his birthday was marked in a variety of ways over the past few days. A group of children who are receiving assistance from the Vatican's St. Martha Dispensary, a pediatric clinic, presented him with a birthday cake, complete with candles, on December 14. The children also gave him a sweater for a gift.

After blowing out the candles, he joked to the children, "I'll tell you later if it's good or not."

Pilgrims who gathered for the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square on Dec. 15 also sang "Happy Birthday" as they waited for the pope to appear at the window of the apostolic palace.

Pope Francis was born in Buenos Aires on December 17 1936 and is the son of Italian immigrants. His father Mario was an accountant employed by the railways and his mother, Regina Sivori, raised five children.

Click here to send a birthday greeting to the Pope!

© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace®  http://www.womenofgrace.com