Pope Francis celebrates his 88th birthday on 17 December, today. While returning from Ajaccio to Rome, the journalists on the plane gifted him a surprise cake to celebrate his birthday.
The short flight allowed the Pope to enjoy a small moment of celebration when members of Aigav, the association of accredited Vatican journalists from all continents.
The cake, not a real one (a “fake cake,” as some joked), was made by a Roman bakery that offered it for free out of great admiration for the Argentine Pope. It was three tiers, with the white and yellow colors of the Vatican flag, bearing the inscription “Happy Birthday Pope Francis,” with a figurine of the Pope sitting and giving a thumbs-up on top, and the words “Best Wishes!” underneath.
The cake was presented to the Pope amidst a chorus of “Happy Birthday…” sung by the French colleagues. It was handed over by Mexican journalist Valentina Alazraki, the dean of Vatican journalists, long-time correspondent for Televisa Univision, and newly elected president of Aigav, who has accompanied the Pope on 161 trips. “All the journalists wished him a happy birthday,” said Alazraki as she presented the gift with humour. Even the Pope smiled and repeatedly said “thank you,” blessing with his hand those whom he has always called his “travel companions.”