Buon Compleanno Santo Padre

Today is the 85th birthday of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI!  He will also celebrate the 7th anniversary of his election as pope this Thursday.  Pope Benedict is now the 8th oldest pope in Church history.  The oldest was Pope Leo XIII who died in 1903 at the ripe old age of 93!

In honor of the pope, this was our opening prayer today:

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to Your shepherd, the Pope, a spirit of courage and right judgement, a spirit of knowledge and love.

By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care may he, as successor to the apostle Peter and vicar of Christ, build Your church into a sacrament of unity, love, and peace for all the world.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.