Vatican City — Pope Francis invited four homeless people to mass and breakfast on his 77th birthday Tuesday, said Vatican radio, which played tango tunes by the Argentinian's favourite singer Carlos Gardel in his honour.
The pope hosted the breakfast at St Martha's Residence, the Vatican hotel where he has stayed since his election in March, spurning the more grandiose Apostolic Palace where leaders of the Catholic Church usually live.
The four homeless people were among the dozens who spend every night camped out around St Peter's Square.
Photographs released by the Vatican showed Francis speaking with three homeless men, including one holding a dog.
Vatican staff and their families also attended, including the newly-appointed Secretary of State Pietro Parolin who wished the pope a happy birthday.
The Vatican said the event was "particularly friendly"....
Karl Marx called religion "opium of the people." How crass can anyone get?
