If you’ve ever watched Pope Leo XIV greet children at an audience, you’ll have noticed something quietly remarkable. He doesn’t rush. He bends down, looks the child in the eye, and listens — really listens. It’s a small gesture, but it speaks volumes. In a world that prizes speed and noise, Pope Leo reminds us that love often begins with something simple: attention.
For grandparents, that’s a lesson worth holding onto. Many would love nothing more than to keep up with their energetic grandchildren, but life, health, and age can make that difficult. Yet Pope Leo shows that you don’t need endless energy or grand plans to make a difference. You just need presence — the willingness to stop, to smile, and to see each child as a gift.
The gift of presence
In his recent addresses, Pope Leo has spoken about the “wisdom of the elderly” and how grandparents are “the first witnesses of hope.” It’s not about doing more; it’s about being there.
Just as he takes time to meet people one by one, grandparents can teach the next generation the art of unhurried love — the kind that listens to long stories about imaginary friends, celebrates small victories, and gently guides through disappointments.
When Pope Leo encourages older people to stay close to the young, he’s inviting them to something deeper than babysitting duty. He’s saying, you matter. Your calm steadiness, your lived faith, your humor — all these things quietly shape the hearts of your grandchildren far more than you realize.
Love that unites generations
“The family hands on faith … generation after generation. Grandparents are models of faith and inspiration for the young.”
That’s a lesson grandparents can take home. Whether your grandchildren are toddlers or teenagers, your role as a bridge-builder is invaluable. You’re the living link between where the family has been and where it’s going.
When you share stories from your past — not as lectures, but as glimpses of God’s faithfulness — you’re doing more than entertaining. You’re anchoring young lives in something lasting. And when you let the children teach you something new (how to use that baffling new app, for instance), you show humility and openness that speaks louder than words.
The strength of gentleness
Pope Leo is a man of gentle strength. His way of dealing with people — firm yet tender, principled yet kind — offers grandparents a model of how to guide without controlling. Children, like the rest of us, blossom when they’re met with patience rather than pressure.
A grandparent’s quiet guidance, much like Pope Leo’s pastoral approach, can transform small moments into lifelong lessons. A word of encouragement before a test, a calm reaction to teenage moods, a shared prayer before bedtime are the seeds of peace and confidence that grow unseen but endure.
A legacy of hope
Perhaps the most powerful message Pope Leo offers is that every stage of life carries purpose. In his words, old age is not a burden, in fact, “the elderly are a gift, a blessing to be welcomed,” adding, “a longer life is one of the signs of hope in our time.”
Grandparents who feel sidelined or less capable can take heart: your presence, your prayer, and your love still shape your family’s story in profound ways.
So, the next time you see Pope Leo smiling among the young, remember that his example is one any grandparent can follow. Not through grand gestures or constant motion, but through small, steadfast acts of love —the kind that quiets fears, builds bridges, and reminds every child that they are seen and cherished.
Because in the end, the best gift a grandparent can give is the same one Pope Leo XIV offers to the world: a heart full of patience, tenderness, and hope.
