Blessed John Paul II: gift of longevity

(Vatican Radio )Throughout his pontificate Blessed John Paul II constantly had words of comfort for older people, highlighting how they still have much to give to society. " Dear senior citizens", he said on one occasion, "society needs you and so does the Church". .

He often focused on this theme during his travels. In 1984 while in Canada he said : " Old age is the crowning point of earthly life, a time to gather in the harvest sown."

On another occasion he said : " We need your faith, you example of patient waiting and trust. these values link us with people of all time and they never grow old ".

Values he insisted that provide a link between generations, without them people simply have no roots.

Listen to this programme presented and produced by Veronica Scarisbrick: