Pope Leo XIV Releases Message for 34th World Day of the Sick 2026, Emphasizing Samaritan Compassion

Pope Leo XIV Calls for Compassionate Love on World Day of the Sick

Vatican City State – Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, has released his message for the 34th World Day of the Sick 2026, urging the faithful to embrace compassionate love and care for the suffering. The message, titled 'The compassion of the Samaritan: loving by bearing another's pain', was signed on January 13, 2026, and made public on January 20, 2026. The annual observance is scheduled for February 11, 2026, and will be solemnly celebrated in Chiclayo, Peru.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan as a Guiding Principle

In his message, Pope Leo XIV reflects on the Gospel of Saint Luke's parable of the Good Samaritan, presenting it as a powerful model for authentic Christian love. He highlights how the Samaritan 'did not “pass by”' the wounded man but instead looked upon him with an 'attentive and open gaze' that led to action. The Pope's reflection is inspired by his predecessor Pope Francis's 2020 encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, which emphasizes that compassion and mercy are realized through relationships with those in need, those who care for them, and with God.

The message underscores three key dimensions of encounter:

• The gift of encounter, fostering closeness and presence.
• The shared mission of caring for the sick, recognizing that compassion is an active love expressed through concrete gestures.
• The call to encounter oneself and one's neighbor through love of God, asserting that serving one's neighbor is a manifestation of divine love.

Global Observance and Significance

The 34th World Day of the Sick will be celebrated in Chiclayo, Peru, a location holding significant meaning due to Pope Leo XIV's earlier episcopal ministry there. The Holy Father has appointed Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, as his special envoy for the event.

The message is addressed not only to Catholic healthcare and pastoral workers but to everyone, emphasizing that 'the pain that moves us to compassion is not the pain of a stranger; it is the pain of a member of our own body'. This universal call aims to transcend divisions and foster a collective humanity in caring for the sick and suffering.

A Call to Action for Fraternal Love

Pope Leo XIV concludes his message by expressing hope that the Christian lifestyle will always reflect a fraternal, 'Samaritan' spirit—one that is welcoming, courageous, committed, and supportive, rooted in union with God and faith in Jesus Christ. He imparts his Apostolic Blessing to all who are sick, their families, and those who care for them, including healthcare and pastoral workers.