Pope Francis hands out sleeping bags to homeless for birthday

VATICAN CITY, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- As per usual with his birthday tradition, Pope Francis gave to the homeless, donating 400 sleeping bags to the homeless in Rome.

Konrad Krajewski, the Polish archbishop known as the pope's almsgiver, led the group of volunteers on a city bus to places the homeless frequent in Rome.

"This is a gift for you from the pope on the occasion of his birthday," said the volunteers as they handed the gifts out.

Pope Francis also had four homeless people join him for lunch in the Vatican and sent 1,700 pounds of chicken to the soup kitchens.

He earlier stated his plan to build showers in the city for the homeless.

The pope turned 78.