Pope Benedict XVI turns 83, feted with birthday cake and song at Vatican before Malta trip

Pope Benedict XVI turns 83, gets a cake

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI is spending a quiet 83rd birthday and keeping a regular work schedule at the Vatican before his weekend pilgrimage to Malta.

The Papal Foundation, an American Catholic fundraising organization for papal charities, presented him with a large cake Friday and sang “Happy Birthday” in English.

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.