Vatican City: Pope Francis asked the Catholic Church to observe the month of July as a month to be prayer for the elderly. As the month of May was observed for young and month of June for families for prayer. He asked to observe the month of July as the month of prayer for the elderly.

"We cannot speak about family without talking about the importance of the elderly among us," Pope Francis said in a video message released June 30.

"We pray for the elderly, who represent the roots and memory of a people, that their experience and wisdom will help those who are younger to look to the future with hope and responsibility," the pope said.

"In this world accustomed to war, we need a true revolution of tenderness," he said. "We have a great responsibility towards new generations about this."

Pope Francis said: "let us remember: grandparents and the elderly are the bread that nourishes our lives, the hidden wisdom of a people. That is why we must celebrate them, and I have established a day dedicated to them."

"Let us pray for the elderly, that they may become teachers of tenderness so that their experience and wisdom may help young people to look towards the future with hope and responsibility," he said.

In a June 30 press release from the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network, Ciro Intino, director of the Alberto Sordi Foundation, commented on the pope's July prayer intention.

"Our society is getting older and older, and yet it tends to exclude and isolate elderly people, putting their identity and social role in crisis, especially regarding their relations with younger generations," he said.

-CNA