In his message for World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, Pope Leo XIV has called on every parish and church group or association to become part of a “revolution” of care and gratitude by regularly visiting older people. Source: CNS.
“Christian hope always urges us to be more daring, to think big, to be dissatisfied with things the way they are,” the Pope wrote in his message for the day, which will take place July 27.
“In this case, it urges us to work for a change that can restore the esteem and affection to which the elderly are entitled,” he wrote.
The Pope’s message expanded on the theme chosen for this year’s world day, which was taken from the Book of Sirach: “Blessed are those who have not lost hope”.
The 2025 celebration marks the fifth edition of World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly and Pope Leo’s first message for the day. Pope Francis instituted the world day in 2021; it is observed each year on the fourth Sunday of July, close to the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.
In his message for this year’s celebration, Pope Leo said the Jubilee Year, which is a time of liberation from injustice and inequality, is an appropriate time for all the faithful to help older people “experience liberation, especially from loneliness and abandonment”.
To help everyone participate in the Holy Year, especially those who are physically unable to make a pilgrimage to Rome, the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life created a pastoral kit with suggestions for holding a Jubilee celebration in places where the elderly live.
“The grace of the Jubilee is always for everyone!” the dicastery wrote, indicating that the kit and other resources are available at www.laityfamilylife.va.
“Our societies, everywhere in the world, are growing all too accustomed to letting this significant and enriching part of their life be marginalised and forgotten,” Pope Leo wrote, speaking of the elderly.
“Given this situation, a change of pace is needed that would be readily seen in an assumption of responsibility on the part of the whole Church.
“Every parish, association and ecclesial group is called to become a protagonist in a ‘revolution’ of gratitude and care, to be brought about by regular visits to the elderly, the creation of networks of support and prayer for them and with them, and the forging of relationships that can restore hope and dignity to those who feel forgotten.”
FULL STORY
Parishes need to launch ‘revolution of care’ for the elderly, pope says (By Carol Glatz, CNS)
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