"Your old men shall dream dreams" : the 2nd International Congress on the Pastoral Care of the Elderly starts on 2 October

The Second International Congress on the Pastoral Care of the Elderly, organized by the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, will be held from 2-4 October 2025, at the General Curia of the Society of Jesus in Rome. The event will bring together 150 delegates from 65 countries, representing 55 Conferences of Bishops, alongside members of associations and religious congregations engaged in pastoral care of the elderly.

A global pastoral urgency – In an evolving world, where even the experience of aging is changing deeply, the Congress aims to address an increasingly urgent need: to develop pastoral care for the elderly that meets the challenges of our time. As Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Prefect of the Dicastery, said: "The elderly are not just the past of the Church, but its present and its future. This Congress provides an opportunity to listen, reflect, and create new responses to new questions together."

A path that continues – The Congress builds on the first international meeting in 2020, titled "The richness of many years of life". Since then, the journey has continued without interruption: the establishment of the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly in 2021 and Pope Francis’ Cycle of Catechesis on old age in 2022 have reinforced the Church’s attention to this age group. The Second International Congress represents a further step forward on this path, aiming to deepen reflection and explore new ways for the future.

The dreams of the elderly: a vision for the future – The theme of the Congress, inspired by the prophet Joel, is a call to reflect on the "dreams of the elderly" as a source of inspiration for both the Church and society. Some elderly participants will share their vision on critical topics such as peace, life together, the transmission of faith, and the care for our common home. These will be living testimonies, able to demonstrate that dreams are ageless and can still guide new generations.

An unprecedented global reflection – His Excellency Msgr. Dario Gervasi, Adjunct Secretary of the Dicastery, stated: “We are gathering for the first time for such a broad and global reflection on the world of the elderly within the Church. This Congress aims to be a workshop of ideas and hope, a unique opportunity to build a shared vision embracing every corner of the planet. The elderly are at the heart of our communities, and their contribution is essential to the future of the Church."

A rich programme open to dialogue – The greeting address from His Eminence Cardinal Kevin Farrell on the morning of 2 October is open to journalists and media professionals, who will also have the chance to meet participants during breaks, as detailed below. The programme includes plenary reflection sessions, language-specific group work, and spaces dedicated to dialogue and sharing of experiences.

Journalists and media professionals who wish to participate in the events open to the press must submit their request at least 24 hours before the event, through the online accreditation system of the Holy See Press Office, at the following address: press.vatican.va/Accreditamenti