It was a normal working day in the Vatican yesterday, notwithstanding the fact that the Holy See's most distinguished citizen was celebrating his 81st birthday. Having risen as usual at 5.30 a.m. Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass at 7 in his private chapel before heading into a full working day that allowed little space for celebrations.
The Pope's multi-lingual working day began with a reception for the ambassadors of nine countries - Nepal, Tunisia, Estonia, Zambia, Guinea, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, South Africa and Gambia - who were presenting their diplomatic credentials. Speaking to the ambassadors - in French - thePope recalled his recent historic trip to Greece and Syria, yet again appealing for peace in the Middle East and for dialogue between peoples of ethnic and cultural diversity.
After that meeting, the Pope then received six Bishops from Pakistan, here on the traditional "Ad Limina" visit to Rome. The Pakistan Bishops were followed by a 120 strong delegation from European Automobile Manufacturers Association. In the afternoon, the Pope had his regular Friday audience with a senior figure from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, in this case Monsignor Tarcisio Bertone.
Given his busy day, the Pope probably did not pay much attention to the many messages of congratulations that poured into the Vatican.
Among those to wish him a "Happy Birthday" were the Italian Prime Minister elect, Mr Silvio Berlusconi, the winner of last weekend's Italian general election.
The Pope's birthday was, however, marked by a lunch, including a cake, at which aides sang the traditional Polish song, Sto Lat (May You Live 100 Years).
As he sets out on his 82nd year, the Pope seems set on maintaining his heavy work schedule since in the next five weeks, he will not only hold an Extraordinary Concistory of Cardinals but he will also make his highly controversial pastoral visit to Ukraine.
The Extraordinary Concistory, the sixth such assembly called by John Paul II during the 21 years of his pontificate, opens on Monday and runs until Thursday. Attending the Concistory will be Cardinal Cahal Daly and the Archbishop of Dublin, Cardinal Connell.