MALACAÑANG on Saturday wished “good health and good humor” for Pope Francis who turned 80 years old on the third year of his pontificate.
“We wish Pope Francis good health and good humor as he continues to guide us to build a more humane world,” the Palace said in a statement.
“For more than three years as head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis has successfully inspired people around the world with his humble example, concern for the poor, and strong attention on God’s mercy.”
“His touching homily in Tacloban has left an indelible memory in the hearts of thousands, especially survivors of typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan,” the Palace added.
Pope Francis visited the Philippines last January 15-19 last year to console victims of the typhoon that killed 6,340 and left 1,061 missing with damages amounting to $2.86 billion. The Archdiocese of Palo opened the Pope Francis Center for the Poor in his honor on July 12, 2015.
The pope was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on Dec. 17, 1936 in Buenos Aires. He was the eldest of five children of Italian immigrants Mario José Bergoglio (1908-1959) and Regina María Sívori, who fled Italy during the fascist regime of Benito Mussolini.
He was elected pope at the age of 76 on March 13, 2013, 14 days after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, who is now pope emeritus.
According to the Vatican, Francis continues to be healthy although he suffered one attack of sciatica in 2007 which prevented him from attending a consistory of cardinals and delayed his return to Argentina for several days.
His doctors have stated that his missing lung tissue, removed in his youth, does not have a significant impact on his health and the only concern they have is of decreased respiratory reserve if he had a respiratory infection.