Pope Francis emphasized the importance of the elderly in society during an event in St. Peter's Square, with 87-year-old former Pope Benedict attending.  

It was only the third time the former pontiff made a public appearance since his resignation in February 2013.

During the event for elderly people, Pope Francis said of the 87-year-old Benedict: 

"I have said many times that I really like him living here in the Vatican, because it is like having a wise grandfather at home. Thank you! "

Addressing some 40,000 elderly people, the Pope denounced the neglect and abandonment of the old. 

"How many times are old people just discarded, victims of an abandonment that is tantamount to hidden euthanasia. This is the result of a throw-away culture that is hurting our world so much,"

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