Pope Benedict turns 83

THE Pope spent a quiet 83rd birthday at the Vatican yesterday before his weekend pilgrimage to Malta.

The Papal Foundation, an American Catholic fundraising organisation for papal charities, presented him with a large cake and sang “Happy Birthday” in English.

The Vatican does not officially celebrate popes’ birthdays. But on Monday — the fifth anniversary of his election as Pope — cardinals who live in Rome will offer him a lunch in an ornate hall of the papal palace.