"The Frailty of Old Age Is Not Something to Avoid or Exclude"
Traveling Abroad in a Wheelchair... "The Opposite of an Efficiency-Driven Society"
Demonstrated Deep Interest in Issues Facing Retired Seniors
"We Must Learn How to Utilize the Talents of the Elderly"
Pope Francis continued his activities until just before his passing, meeting with dignitaries from major countries and engaging with the faithful. He did not mind being seen on camera in a wheelchair or with a respiratory aid attached to his face. These actions reflect the Pope's perspective on aging; it has been reported that he emphasized not to treat the 'vulnerability of the elderly' as a taboo in this era of aging populations, where a significant portion of the population is middle-aged or older.
Willing to Appear in a Wheelchair and with a Nasal Tube
Pope Francis was hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli Hospital on February 14 due to a respiratory illness and received treatment until March 23. Afterwards, he did not heed his doctor's recommendation to rest for recovery and maintained a busy schedule until just before his death.
On April 18, he met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and delivered a message emphasizing inclusivity toward immigrants. On April 20, in celebration of Easter week, he met with laypeople at the Vatican.
During this period, Pope Francis showed a side of himself that his predecessors never revealed?he openly displayed his frailty. Photos of the Pope posted on the Vatican's official website clearly show him in a wheelchair and stepping outside with an oxygen tube in his nose.
Different from the Previous Vatican, Which Concealed Frailty
Pope Francis, who appeared at an official event in a wheelchair immediately after joint surgery in 2022. Photo by AP Yonhap News
Since the papacy is a lifelong position, popes typically serve until the end of their lives, making aging inevitable. However, in the past, the Vatican rarely exposed the Pope's vulnerable state.
Pope John Paul II, the 264th pope who passed away in 2005, continued his official duties while battling Parkinson's disease and was praised for it, but the Vatican never released images of him in a wheelchair. During photo sessions, his body was concealed with a movable wooden chair or a podium. Pope Benedict XVI, Francis's immediate predecessor, resigned in 2013 for health reasons.
Even while battling Parkinson's disease, Pope John Paul II, who did not retire, never publicly showed himself in a wheelchair. Photo by Yonhap News
Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, commented in a media interview last month on Pope Francis's contrasting approach, saying, "Exposing vulnerability is part of an inclusive ministry." He explained, "The frailty of the elderly is not something to be avoided or excluded. This stands in stark contrast to today's culture, which is focused on efficiency and performance."
Archbishop Paglia added, "The Church is a community and a family, not a nation or a corporation. Even if the elderly become physically weak, they can still exercise authoritative leadership within the family. This lesson is also important for young people, as they too must recognize that they can become vulnerable."
"There Are More Elderly Than Ever in History... But We Don't Know How to Live"
In fact, Pope Francis was known to be deeply interested in aging societies and the lives of the elderly. In a letter sent to the Pontifical Academy for Life in July 2022, he criticized the aging policies of various countries. At the time, Pope Francis stated, "There are many welfare plans for old age, but there is no discussion on how those experiencing this stage can live a fulfilling life." He continued, "There have never been so many elderly people in human history, yet we do not know how to live. Twenty-five percent of elderly people in developed countries live alone."
He went on to say, "Our society must know how to make use of the talents of the elderly. As we age, our eyesight may decline, but our inner vision becomes sharper. God does not entrust responsibilities only to the young and strong," he emphasized.
When Pope Francis visited Alberta, Canada, in the same year, he also drew attention from foreign media by ascending the podium in a wheelchair. During his sermon at the time, he stated, "The elderly are not to be cast aside simply because they are deemed useless to the world." He stressed, "The decline and frailty of the elderly can also enrich the lives of the young."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
