Maligayang Kaarawan, Santo Papa!

In case you were wondering, that's "Happy Birthday Holy Father" in Tagalog, my native language. Today, the Universal Church rejoices and celebrates as our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, turns 85, becoming only the sixth pontiff ever to do so in the list of 265 popes.

I love this particular picture of Papa Bene because 1) love that he brought back the galero capello romano (much thanks to Pinoy Catholic for the correction) and 2) he just looks kinda happy. As the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI heads-up the 1 billion strong member faith. Even in his old age, the Holy Father's commitment to the faithful is inspiring. And despite the many, many, many problems that have rocked the modern day Church, the pope has handled it all by the grace and mercy of God, leading the faithful through some fairly dark times. But the light of Christ cuts through the darkness, and all over the world, faithful Catholics carry that light to others.

By the grace and blessing of the Almighty Father, may Pope Benedict XVI have many more happy and healthy years, all I'm sure, in service to Holy Mother Church.