Pope visits immigrant father’s home town for birthday party

Pope Francisin the home of his cousin, Carla Rabezzana, in the town of Portacomaro (Vatican Media via AP/PA)

Pope Francis returned to his father’s birthplace in northern Italy on Saturday for the first time since ascending the papacy to celebrate the 90th birthday of his second cousin.

The two-day visit to Francis’s ancestral homeland to renew family ties touched on keystones of his papacy, including the importance of honouring the elderly and the human toll of migration.