Pope Francis to senior advocates: counter throw-away
culture
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis
received the participants in a gathering of senior citizens and their caregivers
on Saturday, in the context of Italy’s national Grandparents’ Day celebrations.
Grandparents’ Day in Italy – the Festa dei nonni – is marked
each year on October 2nd, with events continuing throughout the
month.
The gathering was organized
by the Italian ANLA association, founded in 1949 as an advocacy group for
seniors in the employ of major industrial companies. The association has grown
and expanded to include members of every age throughout the country: seniors,
their family members, and their professional caregivers.
In remarks
prepared for the occasion, Pope Francis said, “The Church regards the
elderly with affection, gratitude, and high esteem. They are an essential part
of the Christian community and of society: in particular they represent the
roots and the memory of a people.”
The Holy Father went on to
call on political leaders and social actors to recommit to the protection and
full appreciation of senior citizens.
“There is still a much that
institutions and social structures can do to help older people to make the most
of their abilities, to facilitate their active participation, particularly to
ensure that their personal dignity is always respected and appreciated,” said
Pope Francis. “To do this,” he added, “we must counter the harmful throw-away
culture that marginalizes the elderly, considering them unproductive.”
Before concluding with his
Apostolic Blessing upon all the participants and their works, Pope Francis
said, “Those responsible for the public weal, cultural, educational and
religious leaders, as well as all people of good will, are called upon to
commit to building a more and more welcoming and inclusive society. It is also
important to promote the bond between generations. The future of a people
requires the encounter between young and old: the young people are the vitality
of a people “on the way” and the elderly reinforce this vitality with memory
and wisdom.”
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