Pope John Paul II waves out to the crowd before celebrating a mass on the sea port in Beirut.

BEIRUT, May 11: Lebanon surprised Pope John Paul II with an early birthday party on Saturday, a week before he turns 77.

The pontiff shook his head in amusement as President Elias Hrawi and his wife Mona led the singing of Happy Birthday in French, accompanied by a brass band.

The pontiff, who appeared tired but smiled throughout the ceremony at the presidential palace in Beirut's eastern suburbs, cut a large rectangular cake decorated in yellow and white icing of the Vatican flag and candles. The Polish-born Pope, whose frail health is a constant concern, turns 77 on May 18.

Coincidentally, his two-day trip to Lebanon is his 77th pastoral visit since he took office in 1978, but his first ever to the Middle East.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.