Picture Gallery: The Pope celebrates

Pope John Paul II's 80th birthday celebrations were marked in brilliant sunshine in St Peter's Square in Rome.

The Pope took part in the biggest joint celebration of mass ever held - along with thousands of priests, bishops and cardinals, and tens of thousands of Catholics.

The Pope is greeted by thousands in St Peter's square on his 80th birthday

Five thousand priests gather for mass on the big occasion

Priests sported AS Roma and Intermilan hats to keep off the sun

The pope steadies himself in the Popemobile

John Paul II takes time out for quiet prayer

The Pontiff blesses two Japanese tourists during Mass

A tired Pope listens to the London Philharmonia Orchestra perform Haydn's 'The Creation'

Gilbert Levine conducts the orchestra in the Vatican's Nervi Hall