Grandparents as a hope: a call to meet the generations

Grandparents as a hope: a call to meet the generations

Vatikanstadt, Italien - On July 27, 2025, the third world day of grandparents and older people is celebrated, an occasion that is under the inviting Motto "He has pity from gender to gender". This day, which was launched by Pope Francis, is intended to emphasize the valuable role of grandparents in families and communities. As the Catholic press (Cape) reported, the Vatican in particular wants to raise awareness of intergenerational encounters and strengthen hope that older people can offer for the younger generation.

The motto leads us back to a biblical encounter: that between the young Maria and her older relatives Elisabet. This encounter, as described in the Lukas Gospel, shows how mercy and Wisdom are passed on from generation to generation. Pope Francis emphasizes the importance of these relationships and emphasizes that we should not ignore the older people or push them to the edge, which unfortunately happens frequently. The Pope's words that "the older people convey our affiliation to God's Holy People". This leads us to the realization that both the church and society rely on its experiences and memories in order to shape the future, as can be found on the Vatican's website.

a sign of hope

World Day aims to promote awareness of the valuable presence of older people and at the same time appreciate their role in the formation of young people. The Pope encourages the younger ones to visit the older in their communities and to carry their blessings into their own lives. "Your prayer will protect you," he says, and invites the older ones to support the young people who take part in World Youth Day with their prayers. This message underlines the power of mutual support across the generations and encourages the care of these important bonds in our communities.

The celebrations of the World Day are closely related to the World Youth Day, which offers an opportunity to live and celebrate relationships between the generations. The Pope's invitation not to leave the elderly alone, but to actively involve them in the community is an urgent call to mutual respect and appreciation.