Renew appreciation of the Elderly

In a powerful message for the Fourth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly this Sunday, Pope Francis has called for renewed appreciation and support for older members of society.

The pontiff’s message, centred on the theme Do not cast me off in my old age, addressed critical issues facing the elderly today while emphasising their inherent dignity and value.

The Pope began by affirming God’s unwavering love for all people, regardless of age or societal status. “God never abandons his children, never,” he states, even when age advances and societal roles diminish. He said that God’s love persists, “Even when our age advances and our powers decline, when our hair grows white and our role in society lessens, when our lives become less productive and can risk appearing useless.”

Sacred Scripture, he wrote, is a story of the Lord’s faithful love and cited several Psalms to illustrate God’s care for humanity despite our perceived insignificance.

In a powerful metaphor, Francis stated, “God discards no stone; indeed, the ‘oldest’ are the firm foundation on which ‘new’ stones can rest, in order to join in erecting a spiritual edifice.”

As former Bishop of Buenos Aires, Pope Francis remembered the pervasive issue of loneliness among the elderly. He recounted visiting rest homes where residents rarely received visitors, some not having seen family members for months.

The message also strongly criticised the notion of intergenerational conflict, labelling it “a fallacy and the poisoned fruit of a culture of conflict.” Pope Francis warned against the widespread belief that the elderly burden younger generations with high social service costs, and called for a more unified view of life’s different stages.

Pope Francis went further, stating, “It assumes that the survival of the elderly puts that of the young at risk, that to favour the young, it is necessary to neglect or even suppress the elderly.” He condemned this mindset as “an unacceptable form of manipulation.”

The Pope’s message challenges society to move beyond these divisive narratives and embrace a more holistic view of human life and community. He urged a shift from seeing generations in competition to recognising their interconnectedness and mutual value.

Central to the Pope’s message is the recognition of every person’s inherent dignity. He argued that the abandonment of the elderly stems from “decisions – political, economic, social and personal – that fail to acknowledge the infinite dignity of each person.”

To illustrate the possibility of positive change, Pope Francis draws on the biblical story of Ruth and Naomi. He praised Ruth’s decision to remain with her elderly mother-in-law, stating, “Ruth does not hesitate to subvert what seemed to be an irreversible situation: living alone need not be the only alternative!”

The pontiff concluded with a call to action, urging people to “show our tender love for the grandparents and the elderly members of our families” and encouraged spending time with those who may have lost hope in the possibility of a different future.

This message from Pope Francis serves as a poignant reminder of the value of older generations and the need for society to combat loneliness and abandonment among the elderly.

As the Church marks the Fourth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, the Pope’s words challenge individuals and communities alike to renew their commitment to intergenerational solidarity and respect for the dignity of all people, regardless of age.

The full message can be read on the Vatican News website.