Pope Francis Celebrates 78th Birthday With Tango, Cake and Chicken

The 800 kilograms of chicken meat will be given to the poor.

ByABC News
December 17, 2014, 10:26 AM
In this photo provided by Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis blows candles on a cake during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Dec. 17, 2014.
In this photo provided by Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis blows candles on a cake during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Dec. 17, 2014.
L'Osservatore Romano/AP Photo

— -- Pope Francis has been known to take a more modern approach to the papacy and his supporters kept in step with his birthday celebration.

In homage to his Argentinian roots, a flash mob of tango dancers showed their moves during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican today.

PHOTO: In this photo provided by Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis is presented with a cake during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Dec. 17, 2014.
In this photo provided by Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis is presented with a cake during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Dec. 17, 2014. Pope Francis got a cake, cards and a tango demonstration for his 78th birthday Wednesday, and 800 kilograms of chicken meat for the poor.

Pope Francis was pictured smiling at the revelry and later blew out the candles on a cake presented to him from the audience.

PHOTO: A couple dances tango in front of St. Peter's Square to celebrate Pope Francis 78th birthday, at the Vatican on Dec. 17, 2014.
A couple dances tango in front of St. Peter's Square to celebrate Pope Francis 78th birthday, at the Vatican on Dec. 17, 2014.

In keeping with his emphasis on doing good and helping the less fortunate, he also received a gift of 800 kilograms of chicken meat for the poor.

PHOTO: People dance tango in front of St. Peter's Square to celebrate Pope Francis 78th birthday, at the Vatican on Dec. 17, 2014.
People dance tango in front of St. Peter's Square to celebrate Pope Francis 78th birthday, at the Vatican on Dec. 17, 2014. Hundreds of tango dancers from all over the world gathered just next to St. Peter's Square for a milonga to mark Pope Francis' 78th birthday.

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