VaticanNews portal (June 15, 2026) releases the message of the antipope Leo XIV for the Sixth World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, themed “I will never forget you (Is 49:15).” While superficially touching on God’s love for the elderly, the message is a textbook example of modernist rhetoric: it reduces the Church’s maternal role to sentimental comfort, omits the supernatural realities of sin, judgment, and salvation, and offers a naturalistic “hope” devoid of doctrinal substance.
The Usurper’s Message: Sentimentality in Place of Doctrine
The message from Leo XIV, as reported by VaticanNews, focuses on the “agonizing feeling” of being forgotten and the “comforting reminder” of God’s love. He states, “Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord promises that he will never forget any of us. He assures us that he has engraved our faces on the palms of His hands (cf. Is 49:16) and that His love is greater than a mother’s love for her child (cf. Is 49:15).” While these scriptural references are true, the antipope’s treatment of them is superficial and lacks the depth of Catholic teaching on the human condition, particularly in old age.
Omission of Sin, Judgment, and the Necessity of Repentance
A glaring omission in Leo XIV’s message is any mention of sin, the need for repentance, or the reality of divine judgment. He speaks of God’s “tenderness” and “undying love” but fails to warn the elderly of the eternal consequences of dying in a state of mortal sin. The Catholic Church has always taught that old age is a time for preparation for death and eternity, not merely for receiving sentimental comfort. As the Catechism of the Council of Trent emphasizes, the elderly must be exhorted to examine their conscience, confess their sins, and make their peace with God. The antipope’s message, by contrast, offers a false sense of security, implying that God’s love is unconditional without reference to His justice or the necessity of living a life in accord with His commandments.
The Church as “Mother” Without the Fullness of Truth
Leo XIV states that “the Church is called to be a mother to all,” yet this maternal role is stripped of its true meaning. The true Church, as defined by Pius XI in Quas Primas, is a “perfect society” endowed with “full freedom and independence from secular authority,” whose mission is “to teach, govern, and lead all to eternal happiness.” The conciliar sect, however, has reduced this mission to a vague “closeness and affection,” devoid of doctrinal clarity or moral authority. The antipope’s invitation to the young to visit the elderly is commendable in itself, but it is presented as a mere social duty rather than a spiritual work of mercy rooted in the love of God and the desire for the salvation of souls.
“Born Anew in Old Age” Without the Sacraments
The antipope’s assertion that “a man and a woman can, in fact, be born anew in old age” is theologically ambiguous and potentially dangerous. While it is true that conversion can occur at any age, the Catholic understanding of being “born anew” is inextricably linked to the sacraments, particularly Baptism and Penance. Leo XIV’s message, however, makes no mention of the necessity of the sacraments for salvation. Instead, he offers a vague hope that “it is never too late to begin turning to [God],” without specifying the means of grace established by Christ. This omission is consistent with the modernist tendency to interiorize and subjectivize faith, detaching it from the objective realities of the sacramental life.
Prayer for Peace Without Christ the King
The antipope calls on the elderly to pray for peace, stating, “in this time, so harshly marked by the violence of war and social unrest, many wonder what the world in which their grandchildren will grow up will be like.” Yet, he fails to identify the true source of peace: the social reign of Christ the King. As Pius XI declared in Quas Primas, “the hope of lasting peace will not yet shine upon nations as long as individuals and states renounce and do not wish to recognize the reign of our Savior.” The conciliar sect’s prayers for peace, divorced from the recognition of Christ’s kingship, are mere platitudes, incapable of effecting true peace in a world that has rejected its Divine King.
The Rosary Without Doctrinal Content
Leo XIV thanks the elderly for praying the Rosary, but his message lacks any exposition of the Rosary’s doctrinal content or its role in meditating on the mysteries of salvation. The Rosary is not merely a pious exercise but a profound meditation on the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, essential for growth in faith and the avoidance of sin. The antipope’s superficial treatment of the Rosary reflects the modernist reduction of Catholic piety to sentimental devotion, stripped of its intellectual and doctrinal richness.
A Message of Naturalistic Humanism
In sum, the message of Leo XIV for the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly is a product of the modernist mindset that has infected the conciliar sect since 1958. It is characterized by a focus on human sentiment, an avoidance of doctrinal precision, and a reduction of the Church’s mission to naturalistic humanism. The elderly, who are most in need of sound doctrine and the sacraments in preparation for eternity, are instead offered empty words of comfort, devoid of the supernatural truths that alone can save their souls.
Source:
Pope to grandparents and elderly: God's loving eyes are upon you at all times (vaticannews.va)
Date: 15.06.2026