A document that «was edited by governments, is not edited by the Church, it is a secular thing: it is good, it is interesting, to know that the elderly have rights. It will be good to read it.” This is how Pope Francis spoke about Charter for the rights of older people and the duties of the community, at the general audience on 23 February 2022, in the first catechesis of an entire cycle dedicated to the theme of old age. The principles set out in Paper they also acted as a common thread at this morning’s meeting between the Pontiff and the participants in the initiative organized by the “Età Grande” Foundation, chaired by Archbishop Paglia. And the prelate himself was among the most active promoters of the document prepared by the Commission for the reform of health and social care for the elderly population, established at the Italian Ministry of Health in the gloomy and uncertain context due to the Covid pandemic 19. Once the emergency has ended, the problems of the elderly remain, just as the need for an alliance between generations remains for a future guaranteed in dignity and services, involving young people above all in a battle that restores a new dimension to living as an elderly person. dimension of respect and a less marginalized and isolated life. Because, writes Monsignor Paglia in the introduction, the document contains a “precious message that Italy, one of the longest-lived and oldest countries, transmits to the whole world for a common destiny that is more humane and respectful of those who are older”.
