Benedict toasts brother's 90th with Mass, music

January 16, 2014 01:16

Retired Pope Benedict XVI is marking a milestone of sorts.

Today he toasted his brother Georg on his 90th birthday, celebrating Mass together and attending a concert in the Vatican gardens.

Monsignor Georg Ratzinger was ordained a priest the same day as the future pope in 1951 and they share a love of music. Ratzinger was a frequent visitor when Benedict, 86, was pope and has continued visiting in Benedict's retirement.

The brothers spent Christmas together at Benedict's retirement home in a converted monastery in the Vatican gardens, and Ratzinger stayed on a few weeks so they could celebrate his birthday together.

The Vatican said they started their day concelebrating Mass, having a festive breakfast complete with Bavarian songs and toasts and ending with a concert in Ratzinger's honour.

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