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April 15, 2007
Pilgrims flock to pope's birthday celebrations in Rome

Rome,
Pope Benedict XVI spoke of his own life, his family and his friends as he celebrated his 80th birthday with a mass in St Peter's Basilica in Rome Sunday.

In an unusually personal homily, the pope referred to the conclusion of a large part of his life and thanked his family and friends.

"I thank God to have been able to experience the meaning of family... I thank God to have experienced deeply what maternal love means... I thank God for my brothers and sisters, who have stood by my side and helped me throughout my life," he said.

He also thanked all those who had helped him along the way.

Amid glorious sunshine, cardinals and bishops mingled with dignitaries and tens of thousands of pilgrims, many of whom had travelled from Germany.

A mass was also being held in Berlin to mark the German pontiff's birthday.

Monday is the actual birthday of the pope who was born Joseph Ratzinger on 16 April 1927 in the small southern German town of Marktl am Inn.

IANS | April 15, 2007

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