Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željko Komšić today sent a birthday greeting to the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis.
“Holy Father, it is my honor to congratulate you on your birthday with the most sincere wishes for good health on behalf of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and personally.
With your actions, promoting the values of mutual respect and equality, with modesty and authority, you are appreciated both in our homeland and around the world. Your support and commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina in fostering the legal and social equality of all its citizens means a lot to us.
With the hope that an opportunity will be created for your return visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Your Holiness, I send you warm greetings and expressions of my deep respect,” reads the congratulatory message of the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željko Komšić, announced the Public Relations Service of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Pope Francis turned 87 years old on Sunday, 17 December.
As he often does ahead of Christmas, the Pope spent a few moments with children and families assisted by the Santa Marta Dispensary, who presented him with a birthday cake and sang ‘Happy Birthday’.
The Santa Marta Dispensary has provided medical assistance to children and families in need for over 90 years, and is based just a stone’s throw away from the Pope’s residence inside the Vatican. It was established in 1922 by Pope Pius XI.
In brief remarks, Pope Francis thanked those present for their birthday wishes.
He also urged everyone to prepare ourselves to receive Jesus as Christians celebrate His birth at Christmas.
“We need to prepare ourselves for the great feast of Christmas, which will be next week,” he said. “It is the feast when we think and recall when Jesus came among us. He came to be with us.”
The Pope invited the children and families gathered in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall to close their eyes and think about what special grace they would like to ask Jesus for this Christmas.
He wrapped up his words of greeting by extending his Christmas greetings.
“Merry Christmas to you all,” he said. “Keep those smiles on your faces, and may the Lord grant you everything you desire. Thank you!”
On the Pope’s birthday, the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, sent his well wishes.
He offered Pope Francis his “most sincere and affectionate wishes for well-being and for the fruitful continuation of your prolific magisterium.”
The Italian Bishop’s Conference took the opportunity to pray for peace in our war-torn world.
“We believe this would be the best gift for our Churches,” said the Bishops. “We, together with you, want to be artisans of peace to overcome a culture of war, hatred, ignorance, and prejudice.”
