Pope Leo XIV celebrates his 71st birthday on Sept. 14, marking the occasion after a year in which calls for peace, Christian unity and respect for human dignity have become defining themes of his pontificate.
Born in Chicago on Sept. 14, 1955, Pope Leo received birthday greetings from around the world, including a message from the presidency of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, according to Vatican News.
The Italian bishops thanked the Holy Father for his service to the Church and reflected on several priorities that have emerged in his teaching, including the central place of the Gospel and the importance of encountering Jesus Christ personally through faith.
They also pointed to Pope Leo’s desire for missionary communities, welcoming parishes and meaningful participation in the life of the Church.
Peace, however, has emerged as one of the most persistent themes of Pope Leo’s pontificate.
According to Vatican News, the Pope has spoken about peace and reconciliation more than 400 times during his first year as pontiff, repeatedly returning to the subjects during public addresses, meetings and Apostolic Journeys.
From the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Leo called for an “unarmed and disarming” peace. His message has continued to emphasize reconciliation as essential to overcoming division and conflict.
That mission has also accompanied him abroad.
During his first Apostolic Journey to Türkiye and Lebanon, Pope Leo visited Nicaea for the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council and emphasized Christian unity. In Lebanon, his message centered on dialogue and peace, according to Vatican News.
His travels later included historic visits to Monaco and Algeria. In Annaba, the ancient city of Hippo, Pope Leo visited places associated with St. Augustine. During a subsequent journey to Spain, he became the first Pope to address the Spanish Parliament.
The past year also brought important moments for the universal Church. On January 6, Pope Leo formally closed the Jubilee Year 2025, which had been opened by Pope Francis, by closing the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica.
His first encyclical, Magnifica humanitas, turned attention toward one of the most pressing questions facing modern society: the rapid development of artificial intelligence. According to Vatican News, Pope Leo insisted that technology must remain at the service of human dignity, freedom, responsibility and the common good.
He also completed Dilexi te, an Apostolic Exhortation begun by Pope Francis focusing on love for the poor. Pope Leo returned to that concern during his July visit to Lampedusa and his encounter with migrants.
The Italian Bishops’ Conference also drew attention to the Pope’s recent teaching on forgiveness and peace, emphasizing the connection between reconciliation and the conflicts that divide people.
As Pope Leo begins his 72nd year of life, the priorities of his young pontificate are increasingly clear. From appeals for an “unarmed and disarming” peace to his defense of human dignity in an age of rapidly advancing technology, his first year has repeatedly called Catholics toward unity, dialogue, reconciliation and a deeper encounter with Christ.
For Catholics around the world celebrating the Holy Father’s birthday, September 14 offers an opportunity not only to wish Pope Leo well, but also to pray for him as he continues his ministry as the successor of St. Peter.
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