Cardinal Antoine Kambanda has extended heartfelt birthday wishes to Pope Leo XIV, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, as he celebrates his 70th birthday. Cardinal Kambanda prayed for the Pope to continue receiving wisdom and strength as he leads the global Catholic Church.
The message was shared on September 14, 2025, through Cardinal Kambanda’s official X (formerly Twitter) account.
“On this blessed day as you celebrate your birthday, I express my heartfelt gratitude and prayers for you. May God bless you abundantly,” Cardinal Kambanda wrote.
He added:
“May God grant you blessings, strength, and wisdom to continue guiding the Church with hope and motherly love.”
Pope Leo XIV was elected as the new leader of the Catholic Church on May 8, 2025, following the passing of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, after a prolonged battle with respiratory illness.
Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, USA, Pope Leo XIV was elevated to the rank of Cardinal by Pope Francis on March 15, 2023, and was entrusted with the leadership of the Catholic Diocese of Callao in Peru.
This milestone marks Pope Leo XIV’s first birthday celebration as the head of the Catholic Church, leading over 1.3 billion Catholics worldwide.
