Vatican City, May 17, 2004 / 22:00 pm
Pope John Paul II turns 84 today and despite no official festivities are in order, the Vatican have made available an e-mail address to greet him:
john_paul_ii@vatican.va
Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls, in a statement made this morning to journalists, said: “For the Holy Father, today is an ordinary work day, above all one of thanksgiving. One special detail: the Holy Father has invited his closest collaborators in the Curia to lunch.”
“Birthday wishes have arrived from around the world, and not just from Catholics, for John Paul II. They have come from heads of State and government, Church officials and people in the world of politics, business and the arts, but above all from single individuals who wish to express their affection and gratitude to the Pope.”