World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

Sunday, July 25, 2021

Location: Worldwide

Pope Francis instituted the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which will take place each year on the fourth Sunday in July, close to the feast of Sts Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus. For more information, see the Message of Pope Francis and Prayer for the First World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.

The theme is: “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20), which is a way of expressing the closeness of the Lord and the Church to every older person, especially in these challenging pandemic times. “I am with you always” is also a promise of closeness and hope that young and old can mutually share. Not only are grandchildren and young people called upon to be present in the lives of older people, but older people and grandparents also have a mission of evangelization, proclamation and prayer, and of encouraging young people in their faith.