The Pope was welcomed by the community of religious sisters who care for the elderly, and went to the chapel for a time of prayer, accompanied by the superior of the nuns.
The home is run by the Sisters of Santa Marta, a religious congregation founded in Italy at the end of the 19th century and now present in seven countries, notably in Latin America and Asia.
The Holy Father then spent time with about 20 elderly women, who are between the ages of 80 and 101, taking time to greet them individually.
The group prayed together with songs, followed by a brief address from the Pope. He highlighted some themes from the songs and from the Gospel read yesterday during Mass, which was about Mary and Martha, the patroness of their home and religious congregation.
The Holy Father said that there is a part of Martha and a part of Mary in each of us.
He urged taking advantage of this time of life to live the dimension of Mary, listening to the word of Jesus and praying.
He told the elderly that their prayers are "so important, much greater than we can imagine,” and added:
“Age is irrelevant: It is Jesus who wants to draw close to us, who makes himself our guest, who invites us to be witnesses, young or not so young.”
“You are signs of hope,” he concluded, “you have given so much in your lives” and “continue to be this witness of prayer, of faith,” a family that offers the Lord what it has.
After praying the Our Father together, the Pope lingered a little longer to visit the facility and returned to Villa Barberini shortly before 11:30 a.m.
This year, the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, established by Pope Francis in 2021 and celebrated by the Catholic Church on the fourth Sunday of July, is on July 27, this weekend. The theme for 2025 is "Blessed is he who has not lost hope."