Two grand birthday cakes were presented to Pope Benedict XVI as he celebrated his 81st birthday at a private lunch attended by Roman Catholic officials Wednesday at the Vatican embassy.
The two dozen cardinals and others sang “Happy Birthday” in English as a huge cake lighted with eight large candles (and one smaller candle) was wheeled out for the pope’s enjoyment by Franco Nuschese, owner of Cafe Milano in Georgetown. Nuschese, a Roman Catholic, worked with Vatican representatives to host and plan the party.
Recommended Stories
Guests stood and toasted the Holy Father with Il Sogno sparkling wine as he blew out the candles.
The cake replicated St. Peter’s Square, complete with the Vatican building and the image of Pope Benedict. Copper- and silver-colored icing bore the inscription: “Happy 81st Birthday, Pope Benedict.” The cake was designed by Leslie Goldman-Poyourow, owner of Fancy Cakes by Leslie in Gaithersburg. She was asked by Cafe Milano, the official caterer of the party, to make the 20-by-40-inch replica of the Vatican in the pope’s favorite flavor — chocolate. So big was the cake that four people had to carry it from Goldman-Poyourow’s vehicle to the dining room of the embassy.
