Elderly

The Latest

Pope Francis visits the elderly in Rieti, Italy on Oct. 4, 2016.

Pope Francis is praying for grandparents this December

Dec 4, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

In his prayer video for the month of December, Pope Francis prays for grandparents and the elderly, urging people to... Read more

Pope Francis at a Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square June 22, 2016.

The old still have a lot to offer young people, Pope Francis says

Jun 27, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Tuesday Pope Francis said that the older generation should not stop striving in their spiritual lives, but that God... Read more

Little Sisters of the Poor. Courtesy of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty.

These nuns provide 'death with dignity' - but it's not assisted suicide

Oct 11, 2016

By Matt Hadro

As states around the country consider legalizing physician-assisted suicide, “death with dignity” looks markedly different for patients under the care... Read more

Dona Penha, 101, receives First Communion.

101-year-old woman receives First Communion

Oct 2, 2016

At 101 years old, Dona Penha has seen quite a bit of life. But the centenarian experienced something new on... Read more

Japan reacts to mass stabbing at care center for the disabled.

Japan knife attack shows disabled persons 'have to be protected'

Jul 29, 2016

Following Tuesday's mass killing at a care home in Japan for persons with mental disabilities, one of the country's bishops... Read more

Mobility scooter.

A scooter from Pope Francis – elderly couple receives gift of mobility

Jun 6, 2016

An elderly couple with disabilities on the outskirts of Rome now has an electric scooter, thanks to a gift from... Read more

Pope Francis greets an elderly woman at the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on June 3, 2015.

Francis pleas for solidarity with elderly, marginalized in latest prayer video

Jun 5, 2016

By Elise Harris

For Pope Francis, June is a month dedicated to praying for a demographic he frequently brings up in his speeches... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his March 11, 2015 general audience in St. Peter's Square.

Pope Francis carries his late grandma's words with him every day

Mar 11, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis said Wednesday that the elderly play a key role in the lives of the youth, and revealed that... Read more

Pope Francis greets attendees at an audience March 29, 2014.

Abandonment is the greatest suffering of the elderly, Pope says

Mar 5, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis said Thursday that when it comes to caring for the elderly, palliative care is necessary because it counters... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass inside Manila's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Jan. 16, 2015.

Pope slams culture of waste, says it’s 'a mortal sin' to discard elderly

Mar 4, 2015

By Elise Harris

In his general audience Pope Francis condemned modern society for silently disposing of the elderly, saying that a civilization which... Read more

A resident and a sister arrange flowers at the Little Sisters of the Poor's Mullen Home in Denver, CO in this undated file photo.

Resist 'hidden euthanasia' of elderly, Little Sisters stress

Oct 18, 2014

Receiving an award recognizing their works of service, members of the Little Sisters of the Poor stressed the need for... Read more

Pope Francis speaks to the elderly in St. Peter's Square Sept. 28, 2014.

Future depends on encounter between young and old, Pope says

Sep 28, 2014

By Ann Schneible

There is no future without the encounter between generations, Pope Francis said –  addressing the tens of thousands of grandparents... Read more

Fr. Andrea Ciucci holds a flyer for Pope Francis' Sept. 28 audience with elderly and grandparents.

Pope's audience with elderly to explore vocation of old age

Jul 14, 2014

By Elise Harris

Organizers for the first-ever audience to be held between a pope and the elderly population have revealed that a central... Read more

Pope Francis greets attendees at an audience for the deaf and blind March 29, 2014.

Pope Francis to hold audience with elderly, grandparents

Jul 1, 2014

By Elise Harris

The Pontifical Council for the Family is organizing a day dedicated to the elderly, during which Pope Francis will meet... Read more

Pope Francis at the Wednesday general audience on Sept. 25, 2013.

Pope: Our own dependence should spur empathy for weak

Feb 20, 2014

At a Vatican workshop addressing aging and disability, Pope Francis reminded participants that every human being is always dependent on... Read more

Pontifical academy to address science, ethics of aging

Feb 19, 2014

As the global number of elderly increases, one Vatican advisory group is meeting this week to discuss the many challenges... Read more

Pope Francis greets an elderly woman in a wheelchair Nov. 23, 2013.

Pope praises elderly for their wisdom

Nov 23, 2013

Pope Francis met with participants of an international conference of health care workers today, reminding them that the elderly and... Read more

Dr. Cristoph von Ritter speaks with CNA on Nov. 21, 2013

Doctor warns of 'utilitarian' anthropology in care of elderly

Nov 22, 2013

By Elise Harris

During a conference for health care workers, a Swiss doctor spoke of the world’s increasing elderly population, noting the importance... Read more

CNA

Construction begins on new home for elderly in Thailand

Jun 18, 2013

A new home for the elderly in Thailand will seek to restore respect for senior citizens and to fight the... Read more

Pope Francis greets the faithful from the loggia of St. John Lateran Basilica on April 7, 2013.

Poverty linked to respect for life in Pope's book

Apr 29, 2013

By Carl Bunderson

In his newly translated book, Pope Francis proposes a Christ-centered understanding of human dignity that yields a comprehensive respect for... Read more