VATICAN CITY (AP) – Pope Francis has set an annual date to honor grandparents and other elders, lamenting that they are often forgotten despite the wisdom they have to offer society.
Francis on Sunday announced that every year, on the fourth Sunday of July, the Roman Catholic Church will pay tribute to older adults who offer “thoughts and words of wisdom”.
This year, Francis will be celebrating a special Mass in their honor on the evening of July 25, pandemic restrictions permitting, the Vatican said. In the usual Sunday afternoon remarks, Francis noted that every July 26 the Church honors Saints Anne and Joachim, the parents of Jesus’ mother, Mary.
Grandparents, Francis said, convey experiences of “life and faith” to the young.
The Pope, who is 84 and a frequent booster of grandparents in his comments about their worth to society, quoted the “ thoughts and words of wisdom ” of older adults.
“Their voices are precious because they sing the praises of God and preserve the roots of the people,” said Francis from the Apostolic Palace Library rather than from 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 connects generations, to convey the experience of life and faith to young people,” said the Pope.
“Grandparents are so often forgotten, and we forget this wealth of carrot protection and transfer,” Francis said.
“It’s important that grandparents meet grandchildren and grandchildren meet grandparents,” said Francis. He added that “grandparents will dream, have great desires for grandchildren, and that the young ones, who draw strength from grandparents, will move on.”