grandparents

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Pope Francis is flanked by a grandmother and grandson during his Angelus reflection on July 23, 2023, in honor of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.

Here’s a beautiful prayer you can say on the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2023

Jul 23, 2023

By Rachel Thomas

The prayer from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life invokes Mary’s intercession. Read more

Pope Francis blesses a woman in St. Peter's Basilica, where he presided over a special papal Mass on July 23, 2023, marking the third annual World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.

Pope Francis celebrates World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

Jul 23, 2023

By Rachel Thomas

Calling for “a new bond between the young and old,” Pope Francis marked the third annual World Day for Grandparents... Read more

Pope Francis greets an elderly couple at his general audience on Jan. 11, 2023

Vatican announces date and theme for 2023 World Day for Grandparents and Elderly

Apr 13, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The annual event, which happens around the feast day of Sts. Anne and Joachim, will take its theme this year... Read more

Pope Francis address indigenous young people and elders in Iqaluit, Canada, on July 29, 2022, on the final day of his weeklong trip to Canada.

Choose light over darkness, Pope Francis tells young people in Iqaluit

Jul 29, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Some of those indigenous people assembled to listen to the pope had met with him at the Vatican in March. Read more

Pope Francis greets the elderly priest-residents of Casa San Gaetano in Rome on June 17, 2016.

Vatican offers plenary indulgence for visiting the elderly on Grandparents’ Day

May 30, 2022

By CNA Staff

The 2nd World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will take place on July 24. Read more

Pope Francis visits the San Raffaele Borona assisted living home in Rieti, Italy, Oct. 4, 2016.

Pope Francis invites grandparents to join a ‘spiritual and non-violent revolution’

May 10, 2022

By CNA Staff

The pope made the appeal in his message for the second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Read more

Pope Francis visits the elderly in Rieti, Italy on Oct. 4, 2016.

Vatican unveils theme for 2nd World Day for Grandparents and Elderly

Feb 15, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The World Day will be celebrated on July 24. Read more

Pope Francis visits the San Raffaele Borona assisted living home in Rieti, Italy, Oct. 4, 2016.

Pope Francis to elderly: The Church needs your prayers like ‘a deep breath’

Jun 22, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pope released a message ahead of the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, Read more

Pope Francis visits the San Raffaele Borona assisted living home in Rieti, Italy Oct. 4, 2016. Credit: Vatican Media/CNA

Pope Francis proclaims World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

Jan 31, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis announced Sunday the establishment of an international day to honor grandparents and the elderly to take place each... Read more

The grandmother and grandchild who feature on Pope Francis' new prayer card greet the pope in Romania June 1, 2019.

Pope Francis' new prayer card features grandmother and grandchild from Romania

Sep 17, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis’ newest prayer card, which he hands out to the people he meets, features a grandmother and grandchild from... Read more

A Catholic group wants to honor Ireland’s oldest grandparents

Aug 15, 2019

In anticipation of the Irish National Grandparents Pilgrimage, a Catholic group has launched a search for the oldest grandparents in... Read more

Pope Francis at a Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square June 22, 2016.

The old still have a lot to offer young people, Pope Francis says

Jun 27, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Tuesday Pope Francis said that the older generation should not stop striving in their spiritual lives, but that God... Read more

Michal Parzuchowski via Unsplash

Have grandkids? Pope Francis wants you to talk with them

Oct 15, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Saturday, Pope Francis told grandparents that they are valuable and that their wisdom should be shared with the younger... Read more