The Apostolic Penitentiary, in order to increase the devotion of the faithful and for the salvation of souls, by virtue of the faculties attributed to it by the Supreme Pontiff Pope Francis by Divine Providence, listening to the recent request presented by the Most Eminent Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, Kevin Joseph Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, on the occasion of the Fourth World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, recently instituted by the Supreme Pontiff on the fourth Sunday of the month of July and which this year will be held on the theme "Do not cast me off in my old age" (cf. Ps 71:9), graciously grants the Plenary Indulgence from the heavenly treasures of the Church, under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer according to the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff) to grandparents, the elderly and all the faithful who, motivated by a true spirit of penance and charity, will participate on 28 July 2024, on the occasion of the Fourth World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, in the various functions that will be held throughout the world, a Plenary Indulgence that may also be applied as a suffrage to the souls in Purgatory.

This Court of Mercy also grants the Plenary Indulgence on this same day to the faithful who devote adequate time to actually or virtually visiting their elderly brothers and sisters in need or in difficulty (such as the sick, the lonely, the disabled…).

The Plenary Indulgence may also be granted to, provided that they detach themselves from any sins and intend to fulfill the three usual conditions as soon as possible, the elderly sick and all those who, unable to leave their homes for a serious reason, will unite themselves spiritually to the sacred functions of the World Day, offering to the Merciful God their prayers, pains or sufferings of their lives, especially during the various celebrations which will be broadcast through the media.

Therefore, in order that the opportunity to attain divine grace through the power of the Keys of the Church may be more easily realised through pastoral charity, this Penitentiary earnestly requests priests, equipped with the appropriate faculties to hear confessions, to make themselves available, in a ready and generous spirit, for the celebration of Penance.

This Decree is valid for the Fourth World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary.

Given at Rome, at the See of the Apostolic Penitentiary, on 9 July 2024.

Angelo Card. De Donatis
Major Penitentiary

+ S.E.R. Mons. Krzysztof Józef Nykiel
Regent