Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV celebrated his 71st birthday on September 14, marking another milestone in a pontificate that has placed strong emphasis on peace, reconciliation, Christian unity and human dignity.
Born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago on September 14, 1955, the Pope entered his 72nd year after a first year in office marked by Apostolic Journeys, major Church celebrations and repeated appeals for peace. Messages of goodwill reached the Vatican from around the world, including greetings from the Italian Bishops’ Conference.
Peace remains at the heart of his message
Peace has been one of the most frequently recurring themes in Pope Leo’s public ministry since his election. Vatican News reported that during his first year as Pope, he referred to peace and reconciliation more than 400 times, while also repeatedly highlighting unity, dialogue, hope and human dignity.
His first Apostolic Journey took him to Türkiye and Lebanon, where he highlighted Christian unity, dialogue and peace. He later became the first Pope to visit Monaco and Algeria and visited Annaba, the ancient Hippo associated with St Augustine.
Focus on dignity and the common good
Pope Leo also completed important Church documents during his first year. His first encyclical, Magnifica humanitas, addressed artificial intelligence and stressed that technology must remain at the service of human dignity, freedom, responsibility and the common good.
He also completed Dilexi te, an Apostolic Exhortation begun by Pope Francis on love for the poor, and continued to highlight the concerns of migrants and vulnerable communities.
As Pope Leo begins his 72nd year, peace, unity and the defence of human dignity remain prominent themes of his ministry.