The Pope To Celebrate A Quiet 77th Birthday

Pope John Paul II turns 77 today but plans to mark the occasion quietly, without any public celebration.

The pontiff is due to stop at one of Rome’s Catholic parishes in the morning, continuing a round of visits to the city’s parishes in his role as bishop of Rome. At noon, he delivers his weekly blessing.

The Vatican said the pontiff had no special birthday plans. The more significant event for John Paul is his name day on Nov. 4, the feast of St. Charles Borromeo. The pope was born Karol Wojtyla.

John Paul is in the 18th year of his papacy, and completed his 77th foreign trip as pope last weekend.