I will never forget you (Is 49:15) is the theme selected by Pope Leo XIV for the Sixth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly that will be celebrated on Sunday 26 July.
This year’s celebration coincides with the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.
It provides an opportunity to bring the Church closer to the elderly and acknowledge their contribution to families and communities.
‘I will never forget you’ is taken from the book of Isaiah. It expresses God’s unconditional fidelity towards his people and reveals how the Lord’s love for each of us never fails, even in the fragility of old age.
The theme is intended to be a message of consolation and hope for all grandparents and the elderly, especially those who live in solitude or feel forgotten.
At the same time, it is a call to families and ecclesial communities to celebrate their elderly, recognising in them a precious presence and a blessing.
In announcing the day of commemoration, Pope Leo said it was “an opportunity to rediscover that the Church is called to be a mother to all and that at any age it is always possible to recognise ourselves as sons and daughters of God.”
“May this day,” he continued, “be an inspiration for everyone, especially the young, to revive the beautiful custom of visiting their grandparents, the elderly members of the family and even those who have no one to visit them.”
“Ensure that the words of the prophet, But I will never forget you, take the form of a tender and affectionate encounter.”
To further reiterate his point, Pope Leo then quoted the following passage from his Encyclical Letter, Magnifica Humanitas (239):
“In an era that favours speed and fragmentation, the human person still yearns to receive care and recognition from attentive minds, kind words and hands capable of tenderness. The digital culture multiplies connections and offers new opportunities for interaction; yet the human heart retains an irrevocable need for genuine closeness.”
While the elderly, Pope Leo said, are often overlooked or seen as a burden, the Church affirms their immeasurable dignity and reminds them that they are never forgotten by God.
He also encouraged the elderly to see their fragility, not as a weakness to fear, but as a source of wisdom, reconciliation and hope that offers a powerful witness of faith for future generations.
“Dear elderly brothers and sisters,” he continued, “I thank you for supporting me every day with your prayers, especially when you recite the Holy Rosary. I return this gratitude from the bottom of my heart and leave you with this prayer: may the Lord always renew us in faith, hope and love – He who never forgets us!”
Established by Pope Francis in 2021, the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly is traditionally celebrated with a Eucharistic celebration and visits with the elderly.
Since its inception, the day has become an important annual celebration that recognises older people as treasured members of the Church – keepers of history, witnesses of faith, and sources of wisdom.
This year’s theme places a special focus on drawing close to elderly people, particularly those who are isolated, encouraging parishes, families and young people to visit, listen to and pray with them.
The message also stresses that this World Day is not a one-off event, but part of the Church’s ongoing commitment to pastoral care for older people throughout the year.
By strengthening collaboration between dioceses, parishes, religious communities and Catholic organisations, the Church seeks to ensure that every elderly person experiences the Lord’s love, compassion and dignity through genuine relationships and practical support.
Agencies, schools and parishes are encouraged to celebrate and give thanks for grandparents and the elderly who enrich our families, parishes and communities with their invaluable contributions of wisdom, faith, love and experience. For further information, Click Here. For additional resources, Click Here.