Vatican releases unpublished papal reflection on old age

Growing old isn’t something to be feared, but rather something to embrace as a time of grace in one’s life, Pope Francis wrote in a preface for a book that was not released before he died.

“Yes, we must not fear old age. We should not be afraid to embrace growing old, because life is life, and sugarcoating reality means betraying the truth of things,” the pope wrote in the preface for “Waiting for a New Beginning: Reflections on Old Age.”

The book, which was written by Cardinal Angelo Scola, retired archbishop of Milan, was set to be released 24 April by the Vatican publishing house. Pope Francis, who had written the preface in early February, died 21 April at the age of 88.

For more coverage on the death of Pope Francis:

• Cause of Death
• Place of burial
• Canonisation postponed
• What happens next?
• Funeral and public viewing
• Lying in State at St Peter’s