Pope at Audience: The elderly show us the tenderness of God

Continuing his catechesis on the value of the elderly and old age at the weekly General Audience, Pope Francis reflects on the Biblical figure of Nicodemus, and says the elderly are messengers of tenderness, wisdom and love.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

The tenderness of the elderly shows us the tenderness of God.

Pope Francis stressed this during his Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter's Square, as he continued his series of catecheses "on the meaning and value of old age in the light of God’s Word." He reflected this week on the New Testament figure of Nicodemus.

The Pope said he wished to emphasize "the tenderness of the elderly" and grandparents, highlighting how God is equally tender with us.

“Watch how a grandfather or a grandmother look at their grandchildren, how they embrace their grandchildren – that tenderness, free of any human distress, that has conquered the trials of life and is able to give love freely, the loving nearness of one person to others.”

This tenderness, he said, opens the door toward understanding God’s tenderness.

“This is what God is like, He knows how to embrace. And old age helps us understand this aspect of God who is tenderness.”

Born anew, not living forever

The Pope considered the words spoken by Jesus to Nicodemus: “No one can see the kingdom of God without being born anew” (Jn 3:3) by water and the Holy Spirit. 

This spiritual rebirth, the Pope suggested, does not negate or detract from the value of our earthly existence, but "points it towards its ultimate fulfilment in the eternal life and joy of heaven." …

This report was originally published on Vatican News website. Please click here to read the full text.