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Grandparents as bearers of hope: A call for generations to come together
World Grandparents Day will take place on July 27, 2025, with the motto of hope and the promotion of intergenerational encounters.
Grandparents as bearers of hope: A call for generations to come together
The third World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly will be celebrated on July 27, 2025, an occasion under the welcoming theme “He has mercy on all generations.” This day, created by Pope Francis, aims to highlight the valuable role of grandparents in families and communities. As the Catholic Press (KAP) reported, the Vatican particularly wants to raise awareness of intergenerational encounters and strengthen the hope that older people can offer the younger generation.
The motto takes us back to a biblical encounter: that between the young Mary and her older relative Elisabet. This encounter, as described in the Gospel of Luke, shows how mercy and wisdom are passed on from generation to generation. Pope Francis highlights the importance of these relationships and emphasizes that we should not ignore or marginalize older people, which unfortunately often happens. The Pope's words that “the elders convey to us our belonging to God's holy people” are clear. This leads us to recognize that both the Church and society rely on their experiences and memories to shape the future, as can be read on the Vatican website.
A sign of hope
The World Day aims to promote awareness of the valuable presence of older people while recognizing their role in the education of young people. The Pope encourages the young to visit the older ones in their communities and to carry their blessings into their own lives. “Your prayers will protect you,” he says, inviting elders to support with their prayers the young people taking part in World Youth Day. This message highlights the power of supporting one another across generations and encourages the nurturing of these important bonds in our communities.
The World Day celebrations are closely linked to World Youth Day, which provides an opportunity to live and celebrate intergenerational relationships. The Pope's invitation not to leave older people alone but to actively integrate them into the community is an urgent call for mutual respect and appreciation.