by FFE EU News Staff

Pope Francis celebrated his 77^th birthday last Tuesday, and his special guests were not someone he knew.

Polish archbishop and papal almoner Konrad Krajewski, who is in charge of giving alms to the poor, invited three homeless men who were sleeping outside the Vatican to morning mass on Tuesday. The household staff was also present at the mass held in Domus Santa Marta, bringing a family atmosphere to the occasion.

After the service, all present had breakfast in the church dining hall, where the archbishop introduced the three men to the pope. Earlier in the month, the pope was reported to have been leaving the Vatican under guise at night to spend some time with the homeless.

Other people are also paying a special call on the Vatican to celebrate the pope’s birthday. On Saturday, a group of children presented a birthday cake for the pope. The pope’s favourite Argentinian football team San Lorenzo is also expected to meet with him after Wednesday’s mass.

People from all around the world also greeted the pope via Twitter with the hashtag #AuguriFrancesco. To commemorate the special day, the Vatican’s TV channel also released a video showing pictures of significant moments that happened in the first nine months of pope Francis’ papacy.