World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

Pope Leo XIV has chosen the theme “I will never forget you” (Isaiah 49:15) for the Sixth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which will be celebrated on Sunday 26 July 2026.

Drawing on the words of the prophet Isaiah, the Holy Father invites the Church to reflect on God’s enduring love for every person, particularly in the later years of life. The theme offers a message of hope and reassurance to grandparents and older people, especially those who experience loneliness, isolation or the feeling of being forgotten.

At the same time, the Day is a call to families, parishes and the wider Christian community to cherish the gift of older generations. Their wisdom, faith and witness continue to enrich the life of the Church, reminding us that every stage of life has dignity, purpose and value.

Established by Pope Francis in 2021, the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly is celebrated each year on the fourth Sunday of July. In 2026, it falls on the Feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus and the patron saints of grandparents.

Pope Leo XIV has invited every diocese throughout the world to mark the occasion with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist in the Cathedral Church. The Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life has also encouraged dioceses, parishes, movements and ecclesial communities to celebrate the Day in ways that reflect their local circumstances, with pastoral resources to be released in the coming weeks.

As we prepare to celebrate this important day, we are encouraged to reach out to the grandparents and elderly members of our families, parishes and communities, ensuring that they know they are loved, valued and never forgotten. In doing so, we become living witnesses to God’s own promise: “I will never forget you.”