No one can deny that grandparents and their grandchildren share a unique connection. In fact, that special bond has been proven to both make grandparents live longer and make children more emotionally resilient. Now, a new world holiday promises not just to honor the relationship between grandparent and grandchild, but to promote the connection between the elderly and the younger generation.

According to Vatican News, Pope Francis has announced that the fourth Sunday in July will henceforth be celebrated as the World Day honoring grandparents and the elderly. This year, the date will fall on July 25th. The Holy Father chose this date as it falls close to the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.

The elderly, Pope Francis said, “remind us that old age is a gift and that grandparents are the link between the different generation, to pass on to the young the experience of life.”

The Holy Father emphasized the importance of grandparents and grandchildren getting to know one another, as he believes it is necessary to bridge the gap between the elderly and younger generations. He said he instituted the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly because “grandparents are often forgotten, and we forget this wealth of preserving roots and passing on” what the elderly have received.

The pastoral care of the elderly is a priority that can no longer be postponed by any Christian community… the Holy Father reminds us that no one is saved alone. With this in mind, we must treasure the spiritual and human wealth that has been handed down from generation to generation.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell

For many years now, the US has celebrated Grandparents Day on the first Sunday after Labor Day. But while National Grandparents Day is already a secular holiday celebrated in various countries, Pope Francis’ new holiday promises to bring even more awareness to the importance of honoring the elderly generation.