Greetings for Pope Benedict's birthday

This morning, recognizing the birthday of His Holiness, Benedict XVI, Pope emeritus, the Holy Father, Francis began the celebration of the Mass in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Martae by inviting those present to pray especially today for his predecessor.  Today is the birthday of Pope Benedict XVI, he said, let us offer this Mass for him, that the Lord may be with him, to comfort him and give him much consolation.

Later in the morning, Pope Francis called Pope Benedict XVI at Castelgandolfo to present his cordial greetings and to wish him Happy Birthday, and to also extend greetings to Pope Benedict's brother, Monsignor Georg Ratzinger, who is at Castelgandolfo for a few days to celebrate his brother's birthday, to spend some time renewing family ties, and also to celebrate Monsignor Georg Ratzinger's name day on April 23, the liturgical memorial of Saint George.  April 23 also will be the name day for Pope Francis himself, whose baptismal name is Jorge (the Spanish translation of the name George).