Pope Francis urges young people to show tenderness to the elderly by connecting with them, “calling them, chatting with them … sending hugs.”
By Sister Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp
After reciting the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis recalled the liturgical memorial of Saints Joaquin and Ana, the grandparents of Jesus.
Acts of tenderness
The Pope invited them to tenderly approach the elderly by doing something concrete for those “who are most alone in their homes or retirement homes, and who have not seen loved ones for months.”
“Dear young people, the Pope continued:” Every older person is his grandfather! “Then he begged the young men not to leave the old men alone.” Use the fantasy of love, “he told them. Then he gave them some suggestions:
“Call them, video chat with them, send them messages, listen to them, go visit them whenever possible while observing health precautions, send them a hug.”
Connect with the roots
Pope Francis then picked up one of his favorite subjects, reminding young people that the elderly are their “roots”.
“An uprooted tree does not grow or bear flowers or fruit,” he said. Being united and connected with the elderly is important because this is how we stay connected to our roots, he explained. Then he quoted an Argentine poet, who said that the flowers we see on the trees come from what is underground.
After his words, the Pope asked for a round of applause for the grandparents.
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