On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV celebrated his 70th birthday, receiving congratulations from the Catholic Church worldwide as well as from political and religious leaders of various denominations.

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia sent a congratulatory message to the Pope, highlighting his commitment to Christian service and his special attention to dialogue with Eastern Churches. "From the very first days of your leadership of the Roman Catholic Church, you have sought to combine pastoral prudence with firmness in defending the foundations of Christian preaching and morality," the Patriarch stated. He expressed hope for the continuation of brotherly cooperation between the Russian Orthodox and Catholic Churches "in the spirit of love that rejoices in the truth."

"You pay significant attention to the development of relations with the Christian East, witnessing the great contribution that its centuries-old tradition can make to the West's new discoveries, as you rightly noted in one of your recent speeches, 'the values of mystagogy... repentance, fasting, and mourning for sins, both personal and of all humanity, so inherent to Eastern spirituality.' I am convinced that brotherly cooperation with the Russian Orthodox Church in the spirit of love, which, as the Apostle Paul says, rejoices in the truth (1 Corinthians 13:6), will be crucial on this path," wrote Patriarch Kirill.

In the Vatican, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of the Holy See, conveyed congratulations on behalf of the Roman Curia, expressing gratitude for the "tireless witness to the Gospel" and assuring prayers for the Pope's health. The Italian Bishops' Conference noted that Pope Leo XIV's ministry daily reminds us of the central importance of hope and brotherhood in Christian life.

Among the political figures, Italian President Sergio Mattarella congratulated the Pope, emphasizing his contribution to strengthening peace, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres thanked him for his "moral leadership and commitment to dialogue."

Constantinople Patriarch Bartholomew also sent his congratulations, expressing joy over the strengthening of brotherly ties and collaborative efforts for Christian unity. The World Council of Churches wished the pontiff health and noted the "shared commitment to the cause of reconciliation."

Local celebrations included thanksgiving masses in parishes across Latin America, where youth in Poland prepared a "spiritual bouquet" of over 50,000 prayer vows, and evening vigils held in cathedrals in Nigeria in honor of the anniversary.