The Pope on old age

                         
Pope Francis gave this message about senility, in view of Grandparents Day which was celebrated on the last Sunday in July:

Undoubtedly, old age imposes on us a slower pace. But these are not times to just relax and lead a lazy lifestyle. The depth of these lifestyles help us to understand the meaning of life, of which the obsession of speed does not comprehend at all. If we lose touch with the slow pace of old age, we feel like being cut off from humanity. It is in this spirit that I would like to celebrate the feast of grandparents, on the last Sunday of July. The connection between the two generations that are at the beginning and the end of our life, that is childhood and old age, eventually helps the other two ages, youth and adulthood, to make everyone’s life richer in its humanity. We need a constant dialogue between the generations. Otherwise old age, adulthood, youth and even childhood remain isolated in a world all to themselves. A young person who is not connected with his roots, that is his grandparents, remains powerless. And like any tree which receives its strength from its roots, he will then grow healthy and strong, with a valid point of reference. Disconnected from its roots, he will grow weak, fragile and inadequate. So dialogue between the generations is essential in this day and age. And this connection is most important between the two extremes, grandparents and grandchildren. It’s a shame that society is looking at older people as useless, worn out, with nothing else to give, almost to be disposed of. This is not right, and we should forever appreciate the experience and the wisdom of our senior citizens.