Happy Birthday, Pope Benedict!

Today is the 80th birthday of Joseph Ratzinger, better known now as Pope Benedict XVI. Fifteen years after the age at which many Americans retire, Pope Benedict shows no signs of slowing down--in fact, the pace of his pontificate is starting to pick up. Last Friday, a presentation was held in Rome to introduce the Holy Father's latest book, Jesus of Nazareth. The 400-plus page book is only the first of three volumes that Pope Benedict hopes to write on the life of Christ.

If you would like to help the Holy Father celebrate his birthday, the Vatican has set up a special webpage through which you can e-mail your greetings. May God grant his servant, Pope Benedict XVI, many happy and blessed years!