Expand / Collapse search
Watch TV
Menu

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.

Pope Francis

Pope says society does not 'know how to live' with the rising proportion of elderly citizens

Pope Francis warned that the modern world does not quite know how to live with and support rising average ages

By Timothy Nerozzi Fox News
Published
close
Fox News Flash top headlines for June 30 Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for June 30

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on foxnews.1eye.us.

Pope Francis announced his prayer intention for the month of July will be the well-being of the elderly, saying that the world has not yet learned how to accommodate the longer life spans and greater proportion of old people in society.

The pontiff announced his prayer intentions Thursday, noting that July 24 will be the 2nd Annual World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.

Reflecting on his own advanced age, the pope warned that the modern world has begun to forget the importance of the elderly, and that society is not sure how to handle citizens' longer lives and advanced ages.

"We cannot speak about family without talking about the importance of the elderly among us," Pope Francis said in the announcement. 

POPE FRANCIS POSTPONES AFRICA APOSTOLIC VISIT ON ADVICE FROM DOCTOR

Pope Francis is greeted by Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias as he arrives at the Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport in Athens, Greece, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. 

Pope Francis is greeted by Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias as he arrives at the Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport in Athens, Greece, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021.  (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

He added, "We don’t quite know how to live this new stage of life — there are many plans for assistance for the old age, but few projects for existence."

CATHOLIC BISHOPS SPEAK OUT AGAINST BIDEN TITLE IX EXPANSIONS, HIGHLIGHT ‘SAD IRONY’ OF PROPOSAL

The pope, 85, has revisited the topic of old age and deterioration many times in recent years. His lessons and comments on the nature of growing old — often optimistic in nature — have taken on new potency as the pontiff struggles through a series of health concerns while continuing his physically demanding work. 

In a sermon earlier this month, the pope told his listeners that old age was a time when Christians must learn to accept the help of others — even in the basic tasks of day to day life. He compared the helplessness of old age to the serenity of giving up control of one's life to God.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

Pope Francis Catholic Church Vatican City

FILE PHOTO: Pope Francis arrives on a wheelchair to meet with participants in the plenary assembly of the International Union of Superiors General (IUSG) at the Vatican, May 5, 2022. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane/File Photo (AP)

The pontiff continues to suffer from a variety of health problems, most notably his injured knee. The pope informed the public that he will not be celebrating the Eucharist for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi this year – the third consecutive celebration he will be forced to miss.

The pontiff began being escorted via wheelchair to his appearances last month – the first time he's needed such support since his surgery in 2021. Pope Francis has previously opted to sit when possible instead of standing for prolonged periods of time.