The 86-year old Pope instituted the Day in 2021, to be held the fourth Sunday in July, close to the feast of Jesus' grandparents, Saints Joachim and Anne.

"Let us honour them, neither depriving ourselves of their company nor depriving them of ours. May we never allow the elderly to be cast aside!"

This is Pope Francis' heartfelt invitation in his Message for the Third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which the Church will celebrate on Sunday, 23 July. The text was published by the Vatican on Thursday.

The Church observes the World Day each year on the fourth Sunday in July, close to the feast of Jesus' grandparents, Saints Joachim and Anne. On the World Day, the Holy Father often presides over a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, and invites parishes, dioceses, associations and ecclesial communities from all over the world to celebrate the Day in their own pastoral context.

Pope Francis instituted this Day in 2021 since, he believes, grandparents are often forgotten, yet the "are the link between geneartions, passing on the experience of life and faith to the young."

To read the full text of the article, as well as Pope Francis' message, please visit 
'Honour Grandparents': Pope's Message for World Day of Grandparents and Elderly - Vatican News