.jpg)
Pope Francis urged young people to reach out and encourage the elderly, especially those in nursing homes, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the Angelus on July 26, the Pope said, “In the memory of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus, I would like to invite young people to make a gesture of tenderness towards the elderly, especially the most lonely ones in homes and residences, those who have not seen their loved ones for many months.”
According to a report of the Catholic News Agency, Pope Francis said young people should consider every elderly person as their grandparent.
“Dear young people, each of these elderly people are your grandparents. Do not leave them alone. … They are your roots,” Pope Francis said.
July 26 is the feast day of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandparents of the Lord Jesus.
July 26 is also Parents' Day in many parts of the world.
Creativity gives life
Meanwhile, the Pope said, “The Kingdom of Heaven is the opposite of the superfluous things that the world offers, the opposite of a dull life: it is a treasure that renews life every day and leads it to extend towards wider horizons."
"Indeed, those who have found this treasure have a creative and inquisitive heart, which does not repeat but rather invents, tracing and setting out on new paths which lead us to love God, to love others, and to truly love ourselves,”he said.
The Pope said creativity is proof that people are on the path to the Kingdom of Heaven.
“Creativity is what … gives life,” he said, adding, “And it gives, and gives, and gives... It always looks for many other ways to give life.”
“Jesus, who is the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value, cannot but inspire joy, all the joy of the world: the joy of discovering a meaning in life, the joy of committing oneself to the adventure of holiness,” Pope Francis said.