.- Following the Angelus, Pope Benedict spoke about today’s feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary and grandparents of Jesus.
The Pope then asked the faithful to pray for grandparents, "who in families are often the witnesses of the fundamental values of life."
"The educational role of grandparents is always very important and becomes even more so when, for various reasons, parents are unable to dedicate an adequate amount of time to their children. I entrust to the protection of St. Anne and St. Joachim all grandparents of the world, imparting a special blessing."