Pope Leo XIV Celebrates 70th Birthday with Thousands in Vatican, Honored in Dolton, Chicago

Pope Leo XIV celebrated his 70th birthday with large gatherings both at the Vatican and his childhood home in Dolton, Illinois. At St. Peter's Square, about 30,000 faithful gathered with balloons and banners, including a large group from Monsefú, Peru, where the pope once served as bishop, to sing "Happy Birthday" and hear his blessings. The pope thanked the Lord, his parents, and those who remembered him in their prayers, and presided over an ecumenical prayer service honoring 21st-century martyrs. Meanwhile, in Dolton, community members held a festive celebration featuring prayers, music, white balloons, and a Portillo’s chocolate cake delivered by the U.S. ambassador to the Vatican. The Vatican also released a trailer for an upcoming documentary titled "Leo from Chicago," highlighting the pope's American roots and early life. The celebrations reflected the pride of both the global Catholic community and the local Illinois community in the first American pope and youngest pontiff in four decades.