Our next Faith Cafe will be held on Tuesday the 10th of February
We are delighted to invite you to our February Faith Café, with our special guest Dr. Vittorio Scelzo, from the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life.
Theme:
“What Mission for the Elderly in the Church Today?”
Dr. Scelzo is responsible for the pastoral care of the elderly within the Dicastery, a new and vital pastoral focus born during the pontificate of Pope Francis in response to the growing presence of the elderly in society and the challenge of today’s “throwaway culture.”
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr. Scelzo coordinated Vatican initiatives in support of the elderly, who were among those most deeply affected by the crisis. In April 2020, he oversaw the dissemination of the message “In loneliness the coronavirus kills more,” which drew urgent attention to the devastating effects of isolation and abandonment, particularly in residential care facilities.
From this sobering realization emerged the need for a permanent and structured pastoral response, which led Pope Francis to institute the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly in 2021. This initiative—actively promoted by Dr. Scelzo’s office—seeks to transform occasional attention into a lasting commitment, celebrating the value of old age and restoring the rightful place of the elderly within the life of the Church.
Dr. Scelzo has also played a central role in organizing two major international Vatican gatherings dedicated to the pastoral care of the elderly. The first, “The Richness of Many Years of Life” (January 2020), marked a historic turning point as the first Vatican event entirely devoted to this pastoral area. The second, “Your Old Men Shall Dream Dreams” (October 2025), was held in Rome following an extensive global listening process and emphasized the prophetic role of old age and the distinct ecclesial mission of the elderly within the Church today.
In addition to his work with the elderly, Dr. Scelzo has coordinated the Dicastery’s efforts to promote the full ecclesial participation of people with disabilities. During the Synodal Path (2021–2024), he organized dedicated listening sessions to ensure that the voices of persons with disabilities were brought into the heart of the Church’s discernment and decision-making processes.
We are truly honored to welcome Dr. Vittorio Scelzo and look forward to sharing this meaningful and enriching Faith Café together.
Please take note of the time difference where you are.