VATICAN CITY (PA) – Pope Francis has set an annual date to honor grandparents and other elders, lamenting that they are often forgotten, despite the wisdom he has to offer society.
On Sunday, Francis announced that every year, on the fourth Sunday in July, the Roman Catholic Church will pay homage to older adults who have “thoughts and words of wisdom” to offer.
This year, Francis will celebrate a special Mass in their honor on the evening of July 25, the pandemic’s restrictions allow, the Vatican said. In the usual remarks from Sunday at noon, Francis mentioned that every year, on July 26, the church honors Saints Anne and Joachim, the parents of Jesus’ mother, Mary.
Grandparents, Francis said, pass on to young people experiences of “life and faith.”
The 84-year-old pope is a frequent stimulant of grandparents in his remarks on their value to society, quoting the “thoughts and words of wisdom” of older adults.
“Their voice is precious because it sings the praises of God and preserves the roots of men,” said Francis of the Apostolic Palace Library instead of a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square to discourage crowds from gathering in the COVID-19 pandemic. .
“They remind us that old age is a gift and that grandparents are the ring that binds generations together, to pass on to young people the experience of life and faith,” the pope said.
“Grandparents, so many times, are forgotten and forget about this wealth of protection and transmission of roots,” said Francis.
“It’s important for grandparents to meet grandchildren, and grandchildren to meet grandparents,” Francis said. He added that “grandparents will dream, will have great desires for their grandchildren, and young people, taking power from grandparents, will move on.”