St Peter's Square was filled with jubilant crowds on Sunday (September 14) as Pope Leo XIV led the traditional Angelus prayer on the day of his 70th birthday.

"It seems that you know that today I’m turning 70," the pontiff said as he appeared from the window of the papal apartments, where he is used to addressing the faithful at midday on Sundays.

In his speech, the pope thanked all the faithful who had come from Italy and around the world, as well as the Lord, his parents, and all those who had offered a thought for him in prayer.

Among the pilgrims at the Vatican was a Peruvian community from Chiclayo, the diocese where Leo was a missionary, who arrived early in the morning to meet their former bishop.

"Today is also the main festivity in Monsefu," said Peruvian faithful Cynthia Gonzalez, adding the community had decided to visit St Peter's Square with the statue of their saint to "combine the two celebrations."

Pope Leo, whose birth name is Robert Francis Prevost, was born in Chicago on September 14, 1955. On May 8, 2025, he was elected to succeed the late Pope Francis, becoming the first U.S. leader of the 1.4-billion-member Catholic Church.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VATICAN CITY (SEPTEMBER 14, 2025) (VATICAN MEDIA - Access all)

1. PEOPLE IN ST PETER'S SQUARE HOLDING BANNER READING (Spanish) "Happy Birthday Pope Leo XIV Monsefu Chiclayo"

2. PEOPLE IN SQUARE WAVING AND HOLDING BALLOONS

3. CARD READING (Italian) "Today is a special day. Smile at your Birthday"

4. EXTERIOR OF PAPAL APARTMENTS

5. POPE LEO APPEARING AT WINDOW OF PAPAL APARTMENTS

6. PEOPLE IN SQUARE APPLAUDING, HOLDING BANNERS

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

"Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!"

8. PEOPLE IN SQUARE

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

"I affectionately greet all of you, faithful of Rome and pilgrims from Italy and various countries."

10. PEOPLE IN SQUARE

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

"It seems that you know that today I’m turning 70."

12. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE APPLAUDING, HOLDING BANNER READING (Italian) "Best wishes Pope Leo"

13. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

"I thank the Lord, my parents, and all those who remembered me in prayer."

14. PEOPLE IN SQUARE

15. POPE WAVING FROM WINDOW

16. PEOPLE IN SQUARE HOLDING FLAGS AND BALLOONS

17. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING (BITE STARTS FROM PREVIOUS SHOT):

"Many thanks to everyone. Thanks and have a good Sunday.”

ROME, ITALY (SEPTEMBER 14, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

18. VARIOUS OF PROCESSION OF PEOPLE CARRYING BANNER READING (Spanish) "Happy Birthday Pope Leo XIV Monsefu Chiclayo"

19. PEOPLE DANCING, WEARING TRADITIONAL CLOTHES

20. (SOUNBITE) (Spanish) PERUVIAN FAITHFUL, CINTHYA GONZALEZ, SAYING:

"Today is also the main festivity in Monsefu, dedicated to the Captive Jesus of Nazareth, and we have decided to combine the two celebrations, both the birthday of the Holy Father and the celebration of our Saint, and come to St. Peter's Square to pay tribute to him as well."

21. PEOPLE DANCING OUTSIDE VATICAN

22. PILGRIMS HEADING TO VATICAN IN PROCESSION

23. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FAITHFUL FROM CHILE, MARIA JOSE NAVIA, SAYING:

"I'm a literature professor and I'm here for the pope’s birthday. I'm really excited to be here in the Vatican today to celebrate him and also just to be here in the ‘Jubileo’, in Spanish."

24. PEOPLE WALKING OUTSIDE VATICAN

25. (SOUNDBITE) (French) FAITHFUL FROM GUINEA, ALEXANDRE COLE, SAYING:

"I would like to wish him a happy birthday, and as this Sunday coincides with the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, may the Lord Jesus Christ also raise him up to God in heavenly bliss."

26. PEOPLE STANDING OUTSIDE VATICAN

27. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ITALIAN FAITHFUL FROM SICILY, MICHELANGELO VACCARO, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS SON MICHELE, SAYING:

"We left Messina to attend the birthday celebration of the new promise of our religion. We hope he does well, actually we are sure he will, and we wish him all the best."

28. PEOPLE WALKING OUTSIDE VATICAN

29. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FAITHFUL FROM ECUADOR, PARMENIO RAMIREZ SOLIS, SAYING:

"On this very special day, we would like to send a message of happiness to our divine father, wishing him good health and long life. May God bless you."

VATICAN CITY (SEPTEMBER 14, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

30. CHILDREN HOLDING BANNER READING (Italian) "Best wishes"

ROME, ITALY (SEPTEMBER 14, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

31. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FAITHFUL FROM ARGENTINA, MARIA CARLOTA PAIRASO, SAYING:

"We are from Argentina, the land of Francis, very excited to be here in Rome for the first time and, well, imagine on Pope Leo XIV's birthday. All the best wishes, happiness, may God bless him. And well, we are just getting to know his mission, so let's hope it will be fruitful for all humanity."

VATICAN CITY (SEPTEMBER 14, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

32. PEOPLE GETTING READY TO HOLD BANNER READING (Italian) "Best wishes Pope Leo"

ROME, ITALY (SEPTEMBER 14, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

33. (SOUNDBITE) (English) DOMINICAN PRIEST FROM VIETNAM, FATHER JOSEPH, SAYING:

"We’re from Vietnam, but this morning we have had one baby baptised here in St Peter’s Basilica. His name is Peter. The couple came from Vietnam for this event and, fortunately, we celebrate the baptism on the birthday of Pope Leo XIV. And we wish him well. We love you, Holy Father."

VATICAN CITY (SEPTEMBER 14, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

34. GIRLS SINGING HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO POPE LEO