Vatican City: The Catholic Church has renewed its call for families and communities to see older people not as a burden but as a precious gift whose wisdom, faith and presence enrich society. Marking the Sixth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, Vatican officials stressed that genuine care for older people goes beyond providing services and instead requires building lasting relationships that help them feel loved, valued and remembered.
Speaking to Vatican News, Vittorio Scelzo, who leads the pastoral care of the elderly at the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, reflected on how the annual celebration has grown since it was introduced six years ago during the COVID 19 pandemic. He said the day was created in response to the loneliness experienced by many elderly people during that difficult period, but its purpose has since expanded into encouraging the Church to rethink the place of older people within parish life.
According to Scelzo, the Church wants communities to move away from seeing elderly people simply as recipients of charity or care. Instead, they should be recognized as active members of the Church who continue to have an important mission and valuable contributions to make. He said older people form a significant part of the People of God and deserve greater attention in the everyday pastoral life of the Church.
This year's World Day was celebrated on July 27, the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and traditionally honored as the grandparents of Jesus. The theme chosen by Pope Leo XIV, "I will never forget you," comes from the Book of Isaiah and highlights God's constant love and faithfulness toward every person, especially those who feel abandoned or forgotten.
Scelzo explained that the Pope's message is both spiritual and practical. While it reminds people that God never forgets anyone, it also challenges families, parishes and society to reflect that same love by reaching out to older people who may be living in loneliness or isolation.
He said words alone are not enough to affirm the dignity of elderly people. Communities must express that care through simple but meaningful actions such as visiting older people, spending time with them and offering companionship. During the summer months, when many families travel and elderly people often experience greater loneliness, these gestures become even more important.
Scelzo described loneliness as one of the greatest forms of poverty faced by older people today. He said the Church encourages communities to move beyond providing assistance and instead create a true sense of belonging where elderly people continue to feel they are part of parish and family life. The goal, he said, is for the promise that God never forgets anyone to become a daily reality through the care shown by those around them.
Across the world, many dioceses and parishes have developed creative ways to support older people. In Latin America, celebrations are often linked with devotion to Saint Anne. In Venezuela, pastoral workers have focused on reaching elderly people affected by the recent earthquake. Churches in Asia and Africa have also introduced programs that place older people at the center of parish life.
Scelzo highlighted the Diocese of Kampala in Uganda as one of the most active examples, with a wide range of initiatives supporting elderly people. In India, young people have used social media campaigns to promote awareness of the World Day and encourage greater respect for grandparents and older generations.
He also pointed to the growing number of parishes around the world that organize regular visits to elderly people who live alone. Volunteers spend time with them, offering friendship and helping reduce the isolation that many experience. In Europe, projects bringing together young and old through prayer, conversation and shared activities are helping strengthen relationships between generations while enriching the life of the wider community.
Looking ahead, Scelzo said one of the greatest challenges is changing the way society views old age. He said older people should never feel that their later years lack meaning or purpose. Instead, old age should be embraced as a stage of life with its own spiritual calling and opportunities for service.
Pope Leo XIV has also encouraged elderly people not to fear weakness or frailty. Rather than seeing these experiences as signs of decline alone, he has invited them to view them as opportunities to deepen their prayer life and continue serving the Church through faithful intercession, especially by praying for peace in a world marked by conflict.
To help communities mark the World Day, the Dicastery has prepared a pastoral kit that includes prayers and practical guidance. The Church is encouraging every parish to celebrate Mass with older people and ensure that those who are unable to leave their homes or who are bedridden are also visited so that no one feels forgotten.
The message behind this year's celebration is simple but powerful. Caring for older people is not only about meeting physical needs. It is about creating communities where every elderly person is known, welcomed and appreciated, reminding them through everyday acts of kindness that they remain an essential part of both the Church and society.