Washington DC, Sept. 14 -- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday extended birthday wishes to the first American Pope, Pope Leo XIV.

"Happy 70th Birthday to the Pope," he said in a post on X.

"May the Holy Spirit continue to bless and guide you, Pope Leo XIV," he added.

As Pope Leo XIV turned 70 on Sunday, he thanked all his well-wishers.

The Pontifex also celebrated the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

In a post on X, he said, "Dear friends, today I turn seventy years old. I give thanks to the Lord and to my parents; and I thank all those who have remembered me in their prayers."

"Today we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross: for the immense love with which God has transformed the means to death i...