Aging population poses new set of challenges, say Vatican officials

Published: 2007-11-14

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The world's rapidly aging population poses a whole new set of challenges, in particular the pastoral care of elderly sick people, Vatican officials said. "This is the most important stage of life, because from here humanity opens itself to eternal life," said Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan. "Giving pastoral care to the sick in this phase means opening the door for them in the name of the Lord." Cardinal Lozano, president of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers, spoke at a Vatican press conference Nov. 14. The council was sponsoring a Nov. 15-17 conference on pastoral care of the elderly sick, with international participants from health, scientific and religious fields. The cardinal cited statistics showing that the world's population age 65 and over is 390 million today, but is expected to rise to 800 million by 2025.

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .