Overview
- Pope Leo XIV issued his message for the Sixth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly on Sunday, July 26, 2026, using the theme “I will never forget you” from Isaiah to frame care for older people as a moral duty.
- The pope offered five practical takeaways that stress seeing older people as persons, reviving in-person visits rather than relying on digital contact, encouraging spiritual accompaniment, and valuing frailty as a source of human and spiritual connection.
- He warned that older adults risk becoming invisible when reduced to a bed number or illness and urged parishes and families to build lasting relationships rather than provide only services.
- During the Sunday Angelus in Castel Gandolfo he expressed closeness to those affected by large wildfires in southwestern France and central Spain, invited prayers for victims and emergency responders, and noted the fires have forced mass evacuations and strained emergency services.
- The World Day, created in 2021, comes with pastoral resources and an official prayer to help parishes act on the message, and the observance in the United States is set for the weekend of Sept. 12–13, 2026.