Pope Francis resumed his series of catechesis on the value of old age at his General Audience, recounting the story of Simeon and Anna, who recognized Jesus as the Messiah in Jerusalem.
He says that the witness of these two elderly characters from the bible offers a model of how to age well as a witness of God.
POPE FRANCIS
When one accepts not being the lead role, but involves themselves as a witness, that's a good thing. They are maturing well.
The Pope says that as the elderly become physically weaker, they grow spiritually. And that their sensibility is essential to overcoming today's spiritually numb culture.
POPE FRANCIS
This is a widespread syndrome in a society that
cultivates the illusion of eternal youth, and its most dangerous trait is that it is mostly unconscious. One is not aware of become [spiritually] numb.
He also stressed the value of moving beyond words to truly incorporate the elderly into society, and bring them into dialogue with younger generations.
POPE FRANCIS
Inclusion is the recipe for every politically correct speech, but it has yet to bring a real correction in how we live together. A culture of compassion is struggling to grow.
Pope Francis then greeted a group of children who fled the war in Ukraine and are staying in Rome through collaboration with the Ukrainian Embassy to the Holy See.
He said hello to them one-by-one, taking the time to look at the drawings and signs they gave him with the colors of Ukraine, one of which read “Children for Peace.”
JM
