Flash-mob celebrates Pope Francis’ birthday with tango at Vatican

Pope Francis got a cake, cards and a tango demonstration for his 78th birthday Wednesday — and 800 kilograms (1,760 pounds) of chicken meat for the poor.

Argentinian Pope Francis was born in the birthplace of the tango on 17 December 1936.

The Vatican said Wednesday the meat, provided by a Spanish producer, would be distributed to soup kitchens.

Francis also greeted eight homeless people bearing sunflowers during his Wednesday general audience, held under brilliantly sunny skies in St. Peter’s Square.

As he drove around in the open-air car to greet the crowds, children handed up birthday cards they had made for him. Francis asked one: “Did you make this? It’s good!”

Others held up signs saying “Feliz Cumpleanos” (“Happy Birthday” in Spanish) and sang to him.

Outside the square, dozens of couples danced the tango, the Argentine pope’s favorite. The pope quipped: “It looks like a two-by-four!” – a reference to tango.

 

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