Pope Francis celebrates his 79th birthday on Thursday, 17 December, 2015. Born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, His Holiness is the 266th and current Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
While people from across the globe and the Twitterati wish the Holy Father on this special day, there was one Mexican journalist who decided to present Pope Francis with a birthday cake. Valentina Alazraki presented the Holy Father with a cake shaped like a Mexican sombrero, on Wednesday (just a day before he turned 79-years-old).
Pope Francis has not only managed to capture the hearts of millions across the globe, he has also managed to win the admiration of several Hollywood celebrities. There are both Catholic and non-Catholic celebrities who highly regard His Holiness and have expressed their positive feelings about their support for him.
Here are some quotes said in honour of the Pope by 10 unlikely celebrity fans.
Russell Crowe: "Look I'm not Catholic, I've never felt any connection with any previous pope, but I like this guy! He's changing the tone of the way you regard the Pope, and I think it is a magnificent thing. I was very privileged and humbled to be in that environment."
Oprah Winfrey: "Your holiness, I wanted to take a moment to extend my warmest welcome to you. I hold your life and work in the highest esteem."
Martin Sheen: "That's really the vigor of Christ on Earth, to be that human. Man, this guy, Francis. Give thanks and praise."
Mark Wahlberg: "As a Catholic, I credit much of my success to my faith. It is an honor to be a part of welcoming Pope Francis to Philadelphia and I am humbled to join this celebration."
Jane Fonda: "Gotta love new Pope. He cares about poor, hates dogma."
Elton John: "He's excited me so much by his humanity and taking everything down to the humility of faith...it's all basically about love and taking everybody in inclusiveness. If Jesus Christ was alive today, I cannot see him... saying this could not happen. He was all about love and compassion and forgiveness and trying to bring people together and that is what the Church should be about."
Kerry Washington: "I think he's so special. I think he's so humble and so focused on service — just really focused on doing good in the world. Not being judgmental. Letting God be the judge."
Chris Rock: "This new pope is like the Floyd Mayweather of popes. I might be crazy but I got this weird feeling that the new pope might be the greatest man alive."
Jimmy Kimmel: "More like Pope Fran...tastic!"
Maria Shriver: "This pope is inspiring for me as an American, as a woman, as a Catholic. It was really very moving to be here."
