Pope Leo XIV visited the Santa Marta retirement home in Castel Gandolfo. He spent time with about 20 elderly women, greeting them individually. The group prayed together with songs and the Pope gave a brief address. The Pope emphasized the importance of prayer and encouraged them to be witnesses of faith. He stated that their prayers are very important and that age is irrelevant.
13 days ago
Pope Leo XIV made a private visit to the Santa Marta retirement home for the elderly in Castel Gandolfo on July 21, 2025, extending his summer stay at Villa Barberini to do so 1 2. He was welcomed by the community of religious sisters who manage the facility 1 2.
The Pope began his visit with a moment of silent prayer in the chapel, accompanied by the superior of the nuns 1 2. He then spent time individually greeting approximately 20 elderly women residing there, whose ages ranged from 80 to 101 1 2.
During his address, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the Gospel reading of Mary and Martha, which was also the patroness of the home 1 2. He emphasized that everyone possesses aspects of both Martha and Mary, urging the elderly residents to embrace the "Mary" dimension of their lives, focusing on listening to Jesus' word and prayer 1 2.
The Holy Father underscored the profound significance of their prayers, stating they are "so important, much greater than we can imagine" 1 2. He affirmed that age is irrelevant in this regard, as Jesus desires to draw near to all and invites them to be witnesses 1.
Pope Leo XIV described the elderly residents as "signs of hope" for the Church and the world 1 2. He acknowledged the significant contributions they have made throughout their lives and encouraged them to continue being witnesses of prayer and faith, forming a family that offers what it has to the Lord 1 2.
After praying the Our Father with the community, the Pope briefly toured the facility and greeted the staff before returning to Villa Barberini 1 2.
The Church: What is the value of suffering and prayer?
The Catholic Church teaches that both suffering and prayer hold significant value in the Christian life, offering pathways to deeper union with God and participation in His redemptive work.
Human suffering is a profound mystery, yet Christian tradition provides a framework for understanding its meaning . Through faith, suffering can lead to the salvation of souls . The only way to share in Christ's glorious victory over sin and death is by being united with Him in His Passion . Jesus' Death and Resurrection reveal the true meaning of human suffering .
When believers suffer in union with Christ and surrender to Him, they help make His salvation known to others . This union with Christ in suffering is a participation in His redemptive suffering , giving it a purpose and value previously unimaginable . Each person, in their suffering, can become a sharer in Christ's redemptive suffering .
Suffering, when accepted in this way, allows others to see the true dignity of the human person and reveals a God who loves humanity so much that He became one of us to share our pain and sorrows . It makes known the truth that God will transform death into a future where "he will wipe away every tear" (Rev. 21:4) .
The Cross of Christ shows how to make sense of suffering, providing inspiration and strength to overcome resentment and grow through pain into new life . Suffering is an invitation to be more like the Son in doing the Father's will, offering an opportunity to imitate Christ who died to redeem mankind from sin . Thus, God has disposed that suffering can enrich both the individual and the entire Church .
By suffering in the service of the Gospel, Christians complete "what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of the body of Christ, that is, the Church" (Col 1:24) . The faithful do not flee from suffering but find in it an effective means of union with the Cross of Christ, making it an intercession through Christ and the Church . Accepting suffering with the Crucified is part of redemption .
A source of joy can be found in overcoming the feeling of uselessness that often accompanies suffering . The discovery of the salvific meaning of suffering in union with Christ transforms this depressing feeling . Faith in sharing in Christ's suffering brings the interior certainty that the suffering person "completes what is lacking in Christ's afflictions" and serves the salvation of others in the spiritual dimension of Redemption . This is an irreplaceable service . Suffering, permeated by the spirit of Christ's sacrifice, is an indispensable mediator and author of the good things necessary for the world's salvation . It clears the way for grace and makes present the powers of Redemption in human history .
In the "cosmic" struggle between good and evil, human sufferings united to Christ's redemptive suffering provide special support for the powers of good, opening the way to their victory . The Church sees in all suffering Christians a "multiple subject of his supernatural power" and often appeals to them for help and support . The Gospel of suffering is continuously written, revealing that divine power gushes forth precisely in human weakness . Those who share in Christ's sufferings preserve a special part of the infinite treasure of the world's Redemption and can share it with others . The more humanity is threatened by sin, the greater the eloquence of human suffering .
Suffering, sickness, and death are part of the mystery of life, but in Christ, they need not be without meaning . In His Passion, Christ used suffering and death to express His obedient love for the Father . In union with Christ, our sufferings can become an act of love for the Father and a loving act of surrender to God's providence .
Christ does not explain suffering abstractly but calls us to "Follow me," to "Come," and share in the work of salvation through His suffering and Cross . This is the true meaning and value of physical, moral, and spiritual pain . Christ leads the way on the Cross, suffering first, and shares suffering with us, desiring us to have life in abundance .
Suffering can be seen as a "sacramental presence" of Christ, an expression of Christ Crucified and a prolongation of His Passion . Through suffering, Christ chooses, unites, and assimilates individuals to Himself, imprinting His painful image and continuing the work of Redemption . Pain matures the spirit, purifies the heart, provides a real sense of the world and life, and enriches with goodness, patience, and endurance . It can bring deep peace, perfect joy, and happy hope, especially when the promise "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" (Mt 5:4) re-echoes in the heart .
Through Baptism, Christians are united to Jesus in His death and resurrection, called to deepen this union in faith and love . In sickness, Jesus asks us to reveal the victorious power of His grace and proclaim the "Gospel of suffering"—the message that in Christ's Passion, all human suffering has been redeemed and can become a witness to the hope and joy of the Resurrection . In union with Christ, sufferings bear rich spiritual fruit for the good of the Church and the entire world, affecting the entire Mystical Body of Christ .
Prayer is a fundamental aspect of the Christian life, defined as "the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God" . It is a gift from God, a covenant, and a communion, as well as a response to God's self-revelation . Christian prayer is a personal and living relationship with God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit who dwells in believers' hearts .
Every Christian prayer is offered through Christ, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, who intercedes for us with "unutterable groaning" (Romans 8:26-27) . Prayer is a mutual activity where God gives Himself to people, and they give themselves to God, akin to the mutual self-giving of friends . It can involve asking, thanking, praising, talking, meaningful gestures, music, ritual, or silent communion .
Prayer is a covenant relationship between God and humanity in Christ, an action of both God and man, springing from the Holy Spirit and ourselves, directed to the Father in union with the human will of the Incarnate Son . The life of prayer is the habit of being in the presence of the thrice-holy God and in communion with Him, a communion always possible because of our union with Christ through Baptism . Prayer is Christian insofar as it is communion with Christ and extends throughout the Church, His Body, with dimensions reflecting Christ's love .
Prayer is essential for deepening union with God, proclaiming the Gospel, and making important decisions . It fosters a contemplative vision of things, revealing God in the ordinary events of life . This contemplative dimension is expected of religious by their consecration and must be strengthened by prolonged moments of adoration, love, and silent listening to God . Faithfulness to daily prayer is a basic necessity for every religious, holding a primary place in their lives .
Through prayer, Jesus leads us to the Father, and the Holy Spirit transforms our lives . In prayer, we come to know God, detect His presence, hear His voice through our consciences, and treasure His gift of personal responsibility . Prayer helps us focus on Jesus Christ, see the relevance of His teaching, and adopt His perspective .
Prayer is both a gift of grace and a determined human response, always requiring effort . It is a battle against ourselves and the tempter who tries to turn us away from union with God . Our prayer life reflects how we live, and if we do not habitually act according to the Spirit of Christ, we cannot habitually pray in His name . The "spiritual battle" of the Christian life is inseparable from the battle of prayer .
Prayer is a crucial manifestation of spiritual life, a component of spiritual warfare alongside fasting and almsgiving . It confirms a person in goodness and fosters communication with God, serving as a "deep connection with God in love" . Prayer is described as "a dialogue and a union of a human being with God" that "holds the world together" and "achieves a reconciliation with God" .
Prayer is vital in interreligious dialogue, as humanity is in search of God, and all religions bear witness to this search . God tirelessly calls each person to the mysterious encounter of prayer . Prayer is absolutely necessary because it disposes humanity to receive the grace of revelation . In the common search for truth, there is a close relationship between prayer and dialogue; dialogue depends on prayer, and prayer becomes a more mature fruit of dialogue . When Christians engage in dialogue in a state of prayer, they are docile to the Spirit's movement, transforming dialogue into an encounter .