Pope Benedict XVI turns 83, treated to birthday cake and song at Vatican before Malta trip

Pope Benedict XVI turns 83, gets a cake

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI asked for prayers for the church Friday as he spent his 83rd birthday quietly working, treated to a cake but otherwise keeping to his schedule ahead of a weekend pilgrimage to Malta.

The Papal Foundation, an American Catholic fundraising organization for papal charities, presented the pontiff with a large cake during its annual visit to Rome and sang “Happy Birthday” to him in English.

In brief remarks thanking the group for its support for missionaries and other charitable works around the world, the pontiff made an indirect reference to the clerical sex abuse crisis buffeting the Catholic church.

“In these days, I ask you to pray for the needs of the universal church” so it might receive renewed “holiness, unity and missionary zeal,” Benedict said.

The Vatican doesn’t officially celebrate popes’ birthdays. But on Monday — the fifth anniversary of Benedict’s election as pope — cardinals who live in Rome will offer him a luncheon in an ornate hall of the papal palace.

His doctors say the pontiff is in generally good health for his age. But as the clerical sex abuse crisis batters the church, Benedict has been looking pale and gaunt.

In an editorial Friday, the newspaper of the Italian bishops conference, Avvenire, offered Benedict both birthday wishes and support for “the insults and attacks” it says he has endured in recent weeks.