During the Angelus, Bergolgio stressed the importance of the elderly and expressed concern for their loneliness, encouraging an alliance between generations. He also prayed for the victims of the landslide in Ethiopia, which left hundreds dead, and criticized the sale of arms. Regarding the Gospel of the miracle of the loaves and fishes, he urged gratitude and sharing.
Vatican City () – Today, on the IV World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, the theme of reflection was “In my old age, do not abandon me” (cf. Ps 71:9). From the window of the Vatican Apostolic Palace, before praying the Angelus at midday, Francis recalled the importance of this celebration, beginning with the widespread loneliness of the elderly. “The abandonment of the elderly is a sad reality to which we must not become accustomed,” said the Pope. “For many of them, especially in these days of summer, loneliness can become a burden difficult to bear. Today’s Day – he said – calls us to listen to the voice of the elderly who say: Do not abandon me. And to respond: I will not abandon you.”
Francis, who instituted the Day in 2021, then encouraged strengthening the alliance between generations: “Let us strengthen the alliance between grandchildren and grandparents, between young and old. Let us say no to the loneliness of the elderly! Our future depends very much on how grandparents and grandchildren learn to live together.” A round of applause for the grandparents corroborated his words, addressed to all those present in St. Peter’s Square, bathed in sunshine, on this last Sunday in July.
The Pope also assured his prayers for the victims of the landslide that hit a village in southern Ethiopia. “I am close to this population that is suffering so much and to all those who are providing help.” According to an as yet unconclusive report, there are 257 victims of the landslide in the Kencho Shacha Gozdi district, which occurred on Tuesday, July 23. There are nearly 50,000 people affected and more than 1,300 children who urgently need shelter. The Pontiff also denounced the hypocrisy of a world that, despite suffering calamities and hunger, continues to produce and sell weapons. “This is a scandal,” he said. “War is a defeat!” Pope Francis pointed out that all these resources could be used to alleviate suffering, instead of fuelling conflicts that only bring destruction and pain “which the international community should not tolerate,” he added. The Pope then referred to the Olympic Games that have just begun and pointed out that the spirit of fraternity that they represent contradicts the reality of violence that prevails in the world.
Before the Marian prayer, Francis shared with the faithful the commentary on the Gospel of the day (Jn 6:1-15). The passage tells of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, a “sign” that anticipates the gestures that Jesus will perform at the Last Supper: offering, giving thanks and sharing. The first gesture can be seen in the child who has five loaves and two fish. It is the recognition that he has something good to give, even though it is apparently insufficient. “It is the gesture with which we recognize that we have something good to give, and we say our ‘yes’, even if what we have is too little compared to what is needed,” explained the Pope. At Mass, the priest also offers bread and wine on the altar, and each person offers himself, his own life. This act, however insignificant it may seem compared to the immense needs of humanity, becomes the material for the greatest miracle: “God makes himself present for the salvation of the world.”
The second gesture, “giving thanks,” refers to the ability to tell the Lord with humility and joy that everything we have is a gift from Him. Pope Francis explained that we can only give back to God what He first gave us. Even the small love we can offer, however modest, is received by the Lord with gratitude. “What can I give to the Lord? What can he who is small give? His poor love,” said the Pope, noting the importance of our sincere, though limited, giving of ourselves as a gift. And he stressed the importance of this gesture: “We are poor, our love is so small! But we can give it to the Lord, and He receives it.” This gesture of thanks and giving, explained the Pope, is an act of profound humility and gratitude towards God.
Finally, there is the gesture of “sharing.” In the Mass, it is represented by Communion, when the Body and Blood of Christ is received. “The moment of Communion is a very beautiful moment that teaches us to live every gesture of love as a gift of grace, both for the one who gives and for the one who receives,” explained Francis. Sharing, he continued, must be a moment of encounter and mutual enrichment. He then exhorted the faithful to reflect on their lives: “Brothers and sisters, ask ourselves: do I truly believe, by the grace of God, that I have something unique to give to my brothers and sisters, or do I feel anonymous, “one among many”? Do I possess something that I can give? Do I thank the Lord for the gifts with which he continually shows me his love? Do I live sharing with others as a moment of encounter and mutual enrichment?” And he concluded with an invocation: “May the Virgin Mary help us to live with faith each Eucharistic Celebration, and to recognize and enjoy every day the “miracles” of God’s grace.”
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