EIWH is anxious to stress that disease and disability, depression and dependency are not inevitable accompaniments to growing old, that good policies can and do make a difference. The buzzword in gerontology circles at the moment is 'active' ageing.

Pope John Paul II called today for new initiatives to better the lives of the elderly "who enrich the world through prayer and counsel."

The pontiff celebrated a Mass at his summer retreat here for participants at a U.N.-supported conference on "Active Aging" now meeting in Rome.