Pope Leo XIV urges visits to grandparents on World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

The Catholic Church marked the sixth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on July 26, 2026, with Pope Leo XIV choosing the biblical verse Isaiah 49:15 – “I will never forget you” – as the day’s theme. In his message, the Pope highlighted the isolation and social neglect many seniors face, describing the painful feeling of being forgotten and urging young people to visit their grandparents, older relatives, and elders in care facilities.

He called the Church to act as a mother to all, encouraging prayers for peace and urging the faithful to recognize the dignity of the elderly even in fragility. The Pope’s appeal emphasizes respect for older generations as keepers of history and as recipients of unconditional divine love.