# Pope Leo XIV’s Message on the occasion of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

- Link: https://nweparchy.ca/2026/06/pope-leo-xivs-message-on-the-occasion-of-the-world-day-for-grandparents-and-the-elderly/
- Published: 2026-06-23T11:49:11-07:00
- Author: Website

[[

**No one is forgotten by God. **Pope Leo XIV’s message on the occasion of the _World
Day for Grandparents and the Elderly_ was published today; the sixth edition of 
this event will be celebrated on Sunday, July 26, 2026.

In the text, the Holy Father reminds us that the Lord knows each of our faces and
that his love never fails, not even in the frailty of old age. The _Day_, writes
Pope Leo XIV, « is an opportunity to rediscover that the Church is called to be 
a mother to all and that at any age it is always possible to recognize ourselves
as sons and daughters of God ». Addressing the elderly directly, the Pope encourages
them not to fear weakness – « do not be afraid of fragility! » – and to recognize
in it a true vocation to prayer and reconciliation, asking them to pray earnestly«
that peace may soon come to the whole world ».

**A pastoral resource for communities around the world**

To mark the release of the Message, the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life is
making a pastoral kit available to support dioceses, parishes, congregations, and
associations around the world in celebrating the occasion. The resource - which 
contains the Holy Father’s Message, the official prayer, pastoral guidelines, a 
liturgical resource, and the _Day’s _logo - offers tools and practical suggestions
for putting into practice the desire expressed by the Pope in the Message: « May
this day, therefore, be an inspiration for everyone, especially the young, to revive
the beautiful custom of visiting their grandparents, the elderly members of the 
family and even those who have no one to visit them. Bring them, through this message
and your presence, the closeness and affection of the Pope. Ensure that the words
of the prophet, “But I will never forget you,” take the form of a tender and affectionate
encounter.».

**A celebration of the Eucharist and a visit to elderly people living alone**

As is customary, it is proposed that the celebration of the _Day_ be structured 
around two fundamental gestures: a Eucharistic liturgy dedicated to the elderly,
and, a visit to the loneliest members of one’s community, to whom the Holy Father’s
Message should be delivered along with a tangible sign of closeness. In this sixth
edition, particular emphasis is placed on reaching out to those who live alone and
those who receive no visitors: when visiting a facility, it is recommended to also
reach out to the elderly who are bedridden in their rooms, so that no one misses
the message of consolation that the _Day_ aims to convey.

**The option to reschedule the celebration date**

The resource also notes the Holy Father’s provision, which has already been communicated
to all episcopal conferences: the usual date for celebrating the _Day_ remains the
fourth Sunday of July, close to the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne,
the grandparents of Jesus; however, if specific pastoral needs so suggest, the episcopal
conferences have the authority to move the celebration to a different date. In each
diocese, the bishop is invited to celebrate the _Day_ in the cathedral.

**Farrell: At every age, we are children, living members of the Christian community**

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life, lastly
invites the elderly to celebrate the _Day_ in the joy of feeling like children loved
by God, and emphasizes that “rediscovering oneself as a child at every age is a 
call for all the elderly to deepen their vocation and to feel—in every season of
life—that they are living members of the Christian community and co-responsible 
for its mission”.

**Resources to share to promote the Day in local churches**

[The pastoral kit is available on the website of the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life](https://www.laityfamilylife.va/content/laityfamilylife/en/eventi/2026/vi-giornata-mondiale-dei-nonni-e-degli-anziani.html).
All materials are freely downloadable and are useful for sharing and promoting the
_Day_ in preparation for celebrations in parishes and dioceses, at the local, national,
or international level.

The Dicastery also invites communities to publicize the initiatives organized for
the occasion by writing to [anziani@laityfamilylife.va](https://nweparchy.ca/2026/06/pope-leo-xivs-message-on-the-occasion-of-the-world-day-for-grandparents-and-the-elderly/anziani@laityfamilylife.va)
or sharing them on social media with the hashtag **#Elderlyandgrandparents**.

[2026 WDGE Message Holy Father_EN](https://nweparchy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-wdge-message-holy-father_en.pdf)
[Download](https://nweparchy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-wdge-message-holy-father_en.pdf)