Sunday marks Pope Leo XIV’s 70th birthday.
The pontiff, born in Chicago and raised in south suburban Dolton, received a special treat as he entered a new decade.
New video on Sunday morning shows a Portillo’s chocolate cake being brought to the pope to commemorate his first birthday as head of the Catholic Church.
It was delivered by the new U.S. ambassador to the Vatican. He said it was sent by Portillo’s.
Meanwhile, the village of Dolton hosted a birthday celebration for Pope Leo at his childhood home on 141st Street on Sunday.
The party, which kicked off at 10 a.m., included music and prayers from local clergy.
“Happy blessed birthday Pope Leo, and we’re just so honored to be able to celebrate your life today,” said village of Dolton Minister Deborah White.
Dolton neighbors and community leaders came together on the sunny Sunday morning to sing together and pray together.
“It’s a sense of pride because it was needed. For the community, it’s brought new light, new community awareness, new fellowship,” White said.
Dolton Mayor Jason House says the village plans to celebrate the pope’s birthday every year, creating a special annual tradition for this community.
The celebration in Dolton came after family and friends of “Chicago’s pope” gathered in New Lenox to sing happy birthday to the pontiff on Friday.
And his big brother, John Prevost, told ABC7 that his advice to the pope is that he has to be careful going down the stairs, now that he is getting older.
And on Saturday night, there was a big celebration at the Vatican on the eve of the pope’s birthday.
Big name musicians like Chicago native Jennifer Hudson, Andrea Boccelli and Pharrell Williams raised their voices in a concert to celebrate music and human connection.
There was also a spectacular drone show after the concert, lighting up the sky.
