Pope Leo XIV called the elderly “signs of hope” and the ones who inspire every generation towards deeper discernment.
In his message for this year’s World Grandparents Day, the Holy Father emphasized how embracing the elderly emphasizes that life “is more than just the present moment, and should not be wasted in superficial encounters and fleeting relationships.”
“Instead, life is constantly pointing us toward the future,” said the pope.
He invited the young people to look up to their elders as examples of faith, social commitment, and perseverance amid trials.
“If it is true that the weakness of the elderly needs the strength of the young, it is equally true that the inexperience of the young needs the witness of the elderly in order to build the future with wisdom… The precious legacy that they have handed down to us with hope and love will always be a source of gratitude and a summons to perseverance,” he said.
Moreover, Pope Leo XIV called out how many societies around the world are “growing all too accustomed” to letting the elderly suffer from loneliness and abandonment.
He urged every parish, association, and ecclesial group in the world to become “a protagonist in a ‘revolution’ of gratitude and care.”
“This revolution shall 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,” he explained.
Furthermore, Pope Leo XIV called on the elderly to continue holding on to hope by echoing the words of his predecessor, Pope Francis, during his last hospitalization.
“Our bodies are weak, but even so, nothing can prevent us from loving, praying, giving ourselves, being there for one another, in faith, as shining signs of hope,” wrote the late pontiff for the Angelus on March 16.
In line with this, Pope Leo XIV encouraged them to press forward with confidence in the Lord and experience daily renewal through the Holy Mass.
“Let us lovingly pass on the faith we have lived for so many years, in our families and our daily encounter with others,” said the Holy Father. “May we always praise God for his goodness, cultivate unity with our loved ones, open our hearts to those who are far away and, in particular, to all those in need. In this way, we will be signs of hope, whatever our age.”
The 5th World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will be on July 27.
It was established by Pope Francis in 2021 to be celebrated on the fourth Sunday of July. It is the nearest Sunday to July 26, the memorial of the grandparents of Jesus, Saints Joachim and Anne.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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