Elderly

The Latest

The "Mass of a Lifetime," celebrated by Father Nathan Siray of the Diocese of Calgary, took place at Evanston Summit Retirement Residence in Calgary, Alberta, on Oct. 15, 2023.

‘Mass of a Lifetime’ reminds elderly ‘their community has not forgotten them’

Nov 19, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

The special Mass was held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, at a retirement home, to “intentionally affirm, involve, and inspire” the... Read more

Portrait of St. Jeanne Jugan (1792–1879), foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor, by Léon Brune 1855.

Once shunned and forgotten, Little Sisters of the Poor founder Jeanne Jugan now shines 

Aug 30, 2023

By Anna Kurian

The French sister known as Sister Marie de la Croix was sidelined and ignored, but her order now leads the... 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 greets the crowd at his Sunday Angelus address on Jan. 29, 2023.

Pope Francis decries culture that ‘throws away’ unborn children, elderly, poor

Jan 29, 2023

By Courtney Mares

In his Sunday Angelus address, Pope Francis decried a culture that “throws away” unborn children, the elderly, and the poor... Read more

Sister André Randon.

Oldest person in the world, French Catholic nun Sister Andre, dies at 118

Jan 17, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Sister Andre Randon, a French nun and the oldest person in the world, has passed away at the age of... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience on Aug. 10, 2022

Pope Francis: The desire for ‘eternal youth’ and ‘unlimited well-being’ is delusional conceit

Aug 10, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis said Wednesday that it is “delusional” to try to stop the natural passage of time in pursuit of... Read more

Little Sisters of the Poor. Courtesy of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.

Little Sisters of the Poor to close Denver nursing home after 105 years

Aug 5, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

The Little Sisters of the Poor announced this week their intention to withdraw from a nursing home they have operated... Read more

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Here’s how to receive a plenary indulgence July 24 on the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

Jul 23, 2022

By Maisy Sullivan

All it takes is a phone call, together with confession, Holy Communion, and prayer. Read more

Pope Francis speaks at the general audience on June 22, 2022.

Pope Francis: Do not sugarcoat your witness of the Gospel

Jun 22, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

"Jesus is not like that sugary image in those little pictures, no: Jesus is at our side," Pope Francis said... Read more

Pope Francis’ general audience in St. Peter’s Square, June 15, 2022.

Pope Francis: ‘When you are old, you are no longer in control of your body’

Jun 15, 2022

By CNA Staff

The 85-year-old pope noted that he needed to walk with a cane. Read more

Pope Francis’ general audience in St. Peter’s Square, June 8, 2022.

Pope Francis: Don’t hide wrinkles, it’s ‘the heart that matters’

Jun 8, 2022

By CNA Staff

The pope praised the ‘wise Italian actress’ Anna Magnani for refusing to conceal her wrinkles. Read more

Pope Francis’ general audience in St. Peter’s Square, June 1, 2022.

Pope Francis: Old age is a time to rediscover trust in the Lord

Jun 1, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The pope was speaking at the general audience in St. Peter’s Square. 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’ general audience in St. Peter’s Square, May 25, 2022.

Pope Francis: ‘Ours is the age of fake news, collective superstitions, and pseudo-scientific truths’

May 25, 2022

By CNA Staff

The pope dedicated his general audience address to the Book of Ecclesiastes. Read more

Pope Francis’ general audience in St. Peter’s Square, May 18, 2022.

Pope Francis: ‘God is not afraid of our prayer of protest’

May 18, 2022

By CNA Staff

The pope dedicated his general audience address to the Book of Job. 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 speaks at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on May 4, 2022.

Pope Francis: Faith is not something only ‘for old people’

May 4, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The pope was speaking at his general audience in St. Peter’s Square. Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on April 20, 2022.

Pope Francis: To discard the elderly ‘is a grave sin’

Apr 20, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

It was the first Wednesday audience in St. Peter's Square since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more