The World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly falls on Sunday 27 July 2025. The theme is "Blessed is those who have not lost hope" cf. Sir 14:2.
Sunday, 27 July 2025
Here you can read the full message from the Holy Father. You can also use our prayers and links to help you celebrate the day.
As the Pope says, we should cherish the elderly and recognise that there’s no retirement age from the work of proclaiming the Gospel and handing down traditions to grandchildren.
Last year, our Lead Bishop for Marriage and Family Life, Bishop David Evans, spoke about the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.
A video reflection on the lives of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, the parents of Mary and, of course, grandparents of Jesus.
Sunday Mass
Invite your grandchildren and family to attend with you, a wonderful way to start the day’s celebration.
Prayer
Take time to pray as a family and individually, giving thanks for our grandparents and elderly that we know of. Below you will find a section with prayer resources.
Family Dinner
Make time for a family dinner over the weekend where every member and generation of the family are invited.
Parish Picnic
After the Mass on the Sunday, bring the families and elderly parishioners together for a picnic in the parish garden or in the local park if there is one close by. Maybe the young people can help serve.
Visit the elderly
Visit one of your elderly relatives or someone in the parish who doesn’t have family nearby. You could encourage children to make cards for the elderly on your street.
To be a grandparent is a very special role in the Church. As you love your Grandchildren, love them enough to give them the gift of faith, by sharing your faith with them. For more information on the Catholic Grandparents Association of England & Wales, please visit their website here.
Pope Leo's message for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2025, reminds us that hope is a source of joy, no matter what age.
Here's a video recording of our 'Catholic News' podcast on grandparents and the elderly.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols on the very first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly encouraged young people, in a short video message, to talk to their grandparents if they want to be a sign of hope for the world.
Pope Francis' message for the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly reassures the older generation that God is always with them and reminds them of their vocation to pass on the faith to the younger ones.
On this special day when we celebrate grandparents and the elderly, we pray for their protection.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Bishops’ Conference, echoes the Pope’s words to young people encouraging them to talk to their grandparents if they want to be a sign of hope for the world.
British Sign Language (BSL) version of Cardinal Vincent Nichols' message.
On this special day in which we celebrate grandparents and the elderly we pray for Mary, Mother of all the living, to keep grandparents constantly in her care.
