Pope Francis said that he is approaching his 86th birthday (December 17) with “tranquility, great peace, genuine joy and religiosity,” in a newly published interview.

In an exchange with the Italian newspaper La Stampa, the Pontiff said that he is looking forward to his visit this weekend to the Piedmont region, where he will attend a family reunion. He said: “It is essential to keep the relationship with roots alive, for our cultural and social growth, and also for the development of our personality.”

In the wide-ranging interview the Pope expressed his dismay at the continued warfare in Ukraine, and said he is “willing to do everything possible to mediate.”