Leo saw giant “Happy birthday” banners, in English, Italian and Spanish, balloons and congratulatory signs held up by the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square for his traditional noon blessing on Sunday.

Groups of Peruvians, including dancers in traditional attire, were out in force, a testament to the two decades the Pope spent in Peru as a missionary and a bishop.

“My dears, it seems you know today I have turned 70,” Leo said to cheers.

“I thank the Lord, my parents and all those who remembered me in their prayers.”

Many people in the square knew it was Leo’s birthday and wished him well, especially given the weight of responsibility he has taken on to run the Catholic Church.

Lorenzo Vecchio, a member of a Catholic university group in the square, said: “He definitely needs a lot

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