Cardinal Vlk celebrates 77th birthday

Prague Archbishop Miloslav Vlk is celebrating his 77th birthday this Sunday, in what is thought to be his last year in the function. The head of the Czech Catholic Church told media at Easter that he planned on retiring from his post before the end of the year, though, he said, he would not retire before Pope Benedict XVI visits the Czech Republic at the end of September. According to press, a successor to Cardinal Vlk is already being sought. In 2007, the head of the Czech Catholic Church underwent heart surgery and after collapsing from exhaustion in 2008, he said he planned to retire by 2010.