FRANK SESNO, CNN ANCHOR: At the Vatican today, a birthday celebration to mark and remember. Day-long celebrations noting the pope's 80th birthday including a performance by the London Philharmonic. They're underway right now, you see a live picture in from Vatican City. John Paul II began his day with a Mass concelebrated by priests from around the globe. CNN's Jim Bittermann reports.</s>JIM BITTERMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Surrounded by his spiritual family, Pope John Paul II gave thanks that he was able to see his 80th year. With thousands of priests, bishops and cardinals from around the world, the pope led what was believed to be the largest ever concelebration of the Catholic Mass. "This is my hymn of gratitude to the father of life, " the pope said, "who has allowed me to celebrate this mass on the occasion of my 80th birthday." The pope, who only barely survived an assassination attempt in 1981, has suffered a string of ailments over his 22-year papacy. But despite his current ongoing battle with Parkinson's disease, he appeared relatively fit as he led the three-hour Mass in St. Peter's Square. Senior church officials reject out of hand any suggestion as the pope turned 80, that he might decide to retire. As if to lay aside that kind of speculation, one cardinal close to the pope said at the Mass: "Truly, the Lord prepared an athlete to tirelessly walk the paths of the world." The real birthday celebrations were to begin after the Mass ended, with the pope honored at a private luncheon by about 300 of his top clergymen, and then later with a televised concert for the pope featuring the London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by American Gilbert Levine. Jim Bittermann, CNN, Rome.
Pope John Paul II Marks 80th Birthday with Day-Long Celebrations