Pope Francis Celebrates His 79th Birthday
By Mark Abrams
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Pope Francis celebrated his 79th birthday Thursday and a man who spent time with him during his two-day visit to Philadelphia says the pontiff is a man who is energized by his mission.
Archbishop Charles Chaput says he was amazed by the energy Pope Francis showed when he was in Philadelphia at the end of September - capping a tour that began in Cuba, wound through Washington and New York, and ended here.
"I was very conscious of the fact that this man is about 8 years older than I am and has more energy than I do. So, I suspect he's going to be around a long, long time."
Chaput says he isn't buying the speculation circulating in Rome that Francis papacy may only have just a few years left.
"Well, he was just in Africa and in the middle of next month he heads off to Mexico. So, not only does he serve the church from Rome but he's been going everywhere which is quite unusually energetic."
The archbishop says Pope Francis has reached out to Catholics and non-Catholics alike leading a renewal of faith.