O Pope Francis argued that the elderly people “should not be left alone, but live with family”. At an event this Saturday (27), at the Vatican, the pontiff advised younger people to ward off solitary thoughts and attitudes, and promote dialogue between generations. This way, according to him, “no one will be afraid to end their days alone”.
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“Due to the throwaway culture, elderly people are left alone and have to spend the last years of their lives away from home and their loved ones. They should not be left alone. They must live as a family, in a community, with everyone’s affection. And if they cannot live with their family, we must go to them,” said the pope.
Francisco’s speech comes at a time when more and more elderly people are being diagnosed with depression, especially due to loneliness. In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) made loneliness a global health priority, since, according to the organization’s study, one in four elderly people suffer from the problem in the world.
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“Let us build a world where no one is afraid to end their days alone. Not just developing assistance programs, but cultivating projects where the passing of the years is not seen as a loss that diminishes someone, but as an asset that grows and enriches everyone: as they are appreciated and not feared”, asked Francisco.
