SW News: On Sunday, January 31, after the Angelus, Pope Francis announced his decision to establish a World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly to be celebrated every year, on the fourth Sunday of July.

"Grandparents are often forgotten, and we forget this wealth of preserving roots and passing on. For this reason, I have decided to establish World Grandparents' and Elders' Day, which will be held in all the Church every year on the fourth Sunday of July, close to the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, Jesus' "grandparents,”” announced Pope Francis.

Pope Francis said that the Holy Spirit, "stirs up thoughts and words of wisdom in the elderly today."

He continued, "Their voice is precious because it sings the praises of God and safeguards the roots of peoples."

"They remind us that old age is a gift and that grandparents are the link between generations, passing on the experience of life and faith to the young," added the Pope.