Pope Francis sent President Shimon Peres a letter with blessings for his 90th birthday, which is to be marked on August 2. Celebrations towards the day began more than a month ago.
The pope quoted a verse in Psalms and paraphrased the Priestly Blessing as a personal note for President Peres.
Pope Francis wrote, “On the happy occasion of your 90th birthday, I am pleased to send cordial greetings along with the assurance of my prayers for Your Excellency and for all who share this celebration with you.
:I renew my thanks for the kind visit that you paid me at the end of April and for our fruitful exchange on a number of matters of common interest to the Holy See and the State of Israel.
“On this auspicious day, allow me to add my voice to those of many others from around the world who are paying tribute top Your Excellency.
“I am reminded to the concluding verse of the 91st Psalm, “With long life I will satisfy him and show Him my salvation,” and I pray that the Lord who has already blessed with fourscore and ten will continue to bless you and keep you, to make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, and lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”