A great-grandmother who celebrated her 100th birthday on Friday was given a special message from the Pope during her family celebrations.

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Susie Broadbent was given a special framed parchment when she was visited at Knebworth Care Home by the Rev Canon Daniel Cronin of the village’s St Thomas More Church.

Susie’s daughter, Linda-Maria Baines, said: “It was lovely for my mother Susie to get a personal message from the Pope.

“Rev Cronin spoke about meeting the Pope at the Vatican last week. He said to us he mentioned mum to him, and how she was going to be 100.

“He told us Pope Francis then said to him: ‘Send her my blessings. I hope she has a full and healthy life.’

“It was a wonderful gesture from the Pope. Mum said she was really pleased to have had such a message.

“She also thanked the family and everyone for coming to her 100th birthday party.

“Mum came to England from Vienna after the Second World War and settled in Stevenage in 1952. Her and my dad lived in Magellan Road in Chells, and ran Broadbents Butchers in the town.

“I’d also like to thank everyone for coming to mum’s birthday.

“There must have been around 100 people who visited her throughout the afternoon – around 30 friends and family, with the rest coming from the home.

“It’s a shame the majority of mum’s friends are no longer with us but it’s great to see her doing really well.

“It was nice ladies from the Association of Inner Wheel Clubs came to visit her, too.”