The pandemic has posed a huge threat to the elderly. During the confinement period, many have felt alone because of the health safety measures implemented to avoid contagion.
POPE FRANCIS
Dear young people, each one of these elderly people is your grandparent! Do not leave them by themselves! Use the inventiveness of love, make telephone calls, video calls, send messages, listen to them, and, whenever possible, in compliance with the healthcare rules, go visit them.
It's Pope Francis' invitation to young people and the impetus for the “The elderly are your grandparents” campaign. The Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life is using its digital platforms to spread the slogan, #SendYourHug.
During the lockdown period, the Community of Sant'Egidio and Youth for Peace have promoted initiatives to accompany elderly people who might feel alone.
GAIA MARTINI JIMÉNEZ
Volunteer
“The seniors I talk to these days tell me they're alright, but that they feel more lonely. Contacting them through video calls makes them feel less alone.”
Let's take a picture, come on...
GAIA MARTINI JIMÉNEZ
Volunteer
“He's a Roman, and he makes me laugh every time we talk. We usually talk about simple things. I tell him I'm cooking pasta with eggplant, and he gives me cooking tips. 'You have to slice them like this.'”
Initiatives like these make Pope Francis' dream of bringing together the youth and the elderly a reality.
Daniel Díaz Vizzi
Translation: Claudia Torres
