For the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on July 27, Pope Leo has issued a poignant message emphasizing the enduring power of hope.
Newsroom (10 July 2025, Gaudium Press )As the Catholic Church prepares for the Jubilee Year celebration of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on July 27, Pope Leo has issued a poignant message emphasizing the enduring power of hope. In his annual address for the occasion, the pontiff declared that “hope is a constant source of joy, whatever our age,” adding that for those whose hope has been “tempered by fire over the course of a long life,” it becomes “a source of deep happiness.”
Drawing from Scripture, Pope Leo reflected on biblical figures such as Abraham and Sarah, Zechariah and Elizabeth, and Moses, each called in their later years to play pivotal roles in God’s salvific plan. “The history of salvation recounted in Scripture shows that, in God’s eyes, old age is a time of blessing and grace,” he wrote, describing the elderly as “the first witnesses of hope.”
The Elderly as Beacons of Wisdom
In his message, Pope Leo underscored the vital role of the elderly in the Church and society, portraying them as bearers of a “precious legacy” of faith, devotion, civic virtue, and social commitment. He emphasized their capacity to guide younger generations, stating, “Even if they need the support of the young, [the elderly] can serve as a witness to the inexperience of youth, helping them to build the future with wisdom.” This intergenerational exchange, he argued, fosters gratitude and perseverance across all ages.
The Pope also highlighted the Jubilee’s theme of liberation, calling for renewed efforts to combat the marginalization of the elderly. “Too often in modern society, the elderly can become marginalized and forgotten,” he observed, urging a “change of pace” within the Church to restore dignity to those who feel abandoned. He called on every parish to forge relationships that “restore hope and dignity” to the elderly, particularly those suffering from loneliness.
A Call to Action for Parishes
Echoing Pope Francis’ earlier initiatives, Pope Leo encouraged parishes to seek out elderly individuals living alone, noting the special indulgence offered during the Jubilee Year for those who visit the elderly, especially for those unable to travel to Rome. “Christian hope urges us to work for a change that can restore the esteem and affection to which [the elderly] are entitled,” he said, framing such outreach as a cornerstone of the Church’s mission.
A Message of Empowerment
Addressing the elderly directly, Pope Leo offered words of encouragement, affirming their enduring capacity to love and pray. “We possess a freedom that no difficulty can rob us of: it is the freedom to love and to pray,” he wrote. “Our affection for our loved ones… does not fade when our strength wanes but instead revives our energy and brings us hope and comfort.”
He urged the elderly to remain steadfast in their faith, engaging in prayer and daily Mass to renew their inner selves. “Let us lovingly pass on the faith we have lived for so many years,” he exhorted, encouraging them to praise God and foster unity among people. These acts, he said, make the elderly “signs of hope, whatever our age.”
A Universal Call to Hope
Pope Leo’s message resonates as both a celebration of the elderly’s contributions and a call to action for the global Church. By framing old age as a time of blessing and grace, he challenges societal tendencies to overlook the elderly and invites communities to honor their wisdom and lived faith. As the Jubilee Year approaches, his words serve as a reminder that hope, tempered by experience, remains a powerful force for joy and renewal across generations.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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