Pope Leo XIV celebrates his 71st birthday

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Pope Leo XIV Marks 71st Birthday as Tributes Pour In

   Pope Leo XIV marked his 71st birthday on September 14, 2026, following a year defined by Apostolic Journeys, peace appeals, and humanitarian concern. Social Democratic Party presidential candidate Prince Adewole Adebayo issued a congratulatory message from Abuja, praising the pontiff for his global leadership, humility, warmth, and dedication to human dignity and vulnerable populations. Additionally, Jesuit Cardinal Michael Czerny was named the winner of the Villanova Pope Leo XIV Sustainability Medal for his social justice ministry and care for creation, and he will accept the award in Rome next month.

   Why it matters

   The birthday celebrations coincide with recent administrative shifts at the Vatican, including the reversal of previous salary cuts and infrastructure plans for the Vatican Apostolic Archive. The recognition of Cardinal Czerny by Villanova highlights the intersection of papal social teaching and academic sustainability initiatives. These tributes reflect the pontiff's broader international profile over the past year.

   What is confirmed

   • Pope Leo XIV celebrated his 71st birthday on September 14, 2026, following a year of Apostolic Journeys and peace appeals.
   • Prince Adewole Adebayo, presidential candidate for the Social Democratic Party, felicitated the Pope in a message issued in Abuja on Tuesday.
   • Jesuit Cardinal Michael Czerny won the Villanova Pope Leo XIV Sustainability Medal for his social justice ministry and care for creation.
   • Cardinal Czerny will accept the Villanova award at a university-led worldwide sustainability conference next month in Rome.

   What to watch next

   • Cardinal Michael Czerny accepting the sustainability medal in Rome next month
   • Further international birthday messages or official Vatican acknowledgments
   Sources used for this update (4)

   1. www.europesays.com — Pope Leo XIV celebrates his 71st birthday
   2. catholicphilly.com — Villanova Names Winner of Pope Leo XIV Sustainability Medal
   3. realnewsmagazine.net — Adebayo celebrates Pope at 71, praises his commitment to global peace
   4. thesun.ng — Adebayo celebrates Pope at 71, lauds commitment to peace, human dignity
   confidence 100%
2. 22h ago

   Pope Leo XIV marks 71st birthday with salary restores and library expansion

   Pope Leo XIV celebrated his 71st birthday on September 14, 2026, by issuing a decree that repeals salary cuts imposed by Pope Francis in 2021. The measure restores full pay for cardinals, senior officials, clerics, and religious staff working in the Holy See. During his first official visit to the Vatican Library, the Pope also announced plans for a new modern building to house the Vatican Apostolic Archive and library holdings. He inaugurated a contemporary art exhibit titled AQVA, which remains open until May 14, 2027.

   Why it matters

   The salary restorations reverse austerity measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Leo XIV is the first U.S.-born pope. These actions signal a shift in financial policy and institutional investment within the Vatican.

   What is confirmed

   • Pope Leo XIV celebrated his 71st birthday on September 14, 2026.
   • A papal decree repealed salary cuts imposed in 2021 by Pope Francis.
   • Full salaries were restored for cardinals, senior officials, clerics, and religious staff working in the Holy See.
   • Pope Leo XIV announced a new modern building in Vatican City to house the Vatican Apostolic Archive and the Vatican Library.
   • The Pope inaugurated a water-focused art exhibit called AQVA at the Vatican Library, which will run through May 14, 2027.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The first U.S.-born pope's birthday may coincide with a shift toward more positive views of Catholicism in the United States.

   What to watch next

   • Timeline and funding for the construction of the new Vatican Library building
   • Implementation details of the restored salary scales for Curia employees
   Sources used for this update (11)

   1. Vatican News — Pope Leo XIV celebrates his 71st birthday
   2. AP News — Pope celebrates his 71st birthday but it’s Vatican employees who get the gift
   3. Bloomberg.com — Pope Leo Scraps Caps on Cardinal Salaries Imposed During Covid
   4. omnesmag.com — The Pope Raises Salaries for the Curia
   5. National Catholic Register — Pope Leo XIV Repeals COVID-Era Pay Cuts to Vatican Cardinals
   6. www.americamagazine.org — Pope Leo celebrates his 71st birthday—by giving gifts to the Vatican
   7. www.bostonherald.com — Pope celebrates his 71st birthday but it’s Vatican employees who get the gift
   8. catholiccourier.com — Pope Leo celebrates his 71st birthday
   9. catholicreview.org — Pope Leo visits Vatican Library on his birthday, announces new building in Vatican City
   10. www.ewtnnews.com — Pope Leo XIV marks 71st birthday with opening of water exhibit at Vatican Library
   11. www.thecatholicspirit.com — As Pope Leo marks birthday, more positive views of US Catholics may be on horizon, says scholar
   confidence 100%