Celebrations for Pope's birthday

Pope John Paul II will be 83 on Sunday. Around 50,000 pilgrims, at least 20,000 of them from Poland including Polish president Alexander Kwasniewski, are coming to St Peter's Square to wish him a happy birthday. Accompanied by Radio Poland's orchestra, they will also sing the Polish song 'Sto Lat' - (may you live to be a hundred years).

On Sunday the Pope is going to canonize four new saints, including two from his homeland. They are: bishop Joseph Sebastien Pelczar, Sr Julie Ledochowska, who died in the last century and two Italian nuns Maria de Mattias, who died in 1866, Virginia Centurione Bracelli, who died in 1651.

Later in the day there will be a small private gathering with Polish cardinals and bishops. Sr Germana, John Paul II's cook, is baking a special cake topped with 83 candles.

Source: VIS