Vatican City, Apr 17, 2017 / 03:24 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- At his birthday party on Monday, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI told his guests that “My heart is full of gratitude for the 90 years which the good God has given me.”

The April 17 gathering at the Vatican's Mater Ecclesiae Monastery was held in observance of Benedict's 90th birthday, which fell on Easter Sunday, the day prior.

Some 50 guests from his homeland of Bavaria were present, including his elder brother, Fr. Georg Ratzinger.

Today #BenedictXVI celebrated his 90th #birthday with a big Bavarian-style festa, and a pint via @oss_romano pic.twitter.com/CfzjT2Lb18


— Elise Harris (@eharris_it) April 17, 2017

Pope emeritus Benedict XVI celebrated his 90th birthday with Bavarian beer and pretzels today! ???? Although his actual birthday was yesterday, the celebration was postponed until today to observe Easter Sunday. Happy birthday, Benedict XVI! ????: L'Osservatore Romano #happybirthday #celebrate #cheers

A post shared by Catholic News Agency (@catholicnewsagency) on Apr 17, 2017 at 2:25pm PDT