Pope Leo Calls for a ‘Samaritan Spirit’ Ahead of the World Day for the Sick
- André Escaleira, Jr.
- 7 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Together, as one Body in Christ, the Church is called to an active love, which flows from encounter and compassion, just as it did for the Good Samaritan. Locally, that compassionate care will take shape at the annual World Day for the Sick Mass on February 15.
It’s an uncharacteristically warm winter day, and you find yourself walking down Colfax in downtown Denver. As you dodge construction, legislative staffers running back after their lunch break and the typical hustle and bustle, you spot him.
Someone is lying in the ditch, clearly unwell.
What do you do?
Do you stop and check on him? Do you call for help? Do you just pass by, in a rush to get somewhere?
Maybe this modern Good Samaritan parable hits close to home. Maybe it’s foreign, especially for those who never find themselves on the streets of downtown Denver. But the question still remains: what do you do when faced with suffering?
In his message for the 34th World Day for the Sick, rooted in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Pope Leo XIV challenged us to reject the “culture of speed” in which we live, slowing down to make the conscious choice to love.
“Love is not passive; it goes out to meet the other. Being a neighbor is not determined by physical or social proximity, but by the decision to love. This is why Christians become neighbors to those who suffer, following the example of Christ, the true divine Samaritan who drew near to a wounded humanity,” the pope wrote. “These are not mere gestures of philanthropy, but signs through which we perceive that personal participation in another’s suffering involves the gift of oneself. It means going beyond the simple satisfaction of needs, so that our very person becomes part of the gift. This kind of charity is necessarily nourished by an encounter with Christ, who gave himself for us out of love.”
When we pause to recognize the dignity inherent in our neighbor, we are moved to compassionate action, the pope noted, all flowing from our encounter with Jesus Christ.
“The gift of encounter flows from our union with Jesus Christ,” Pope Leo explained. “We recognize him as the Good Samaritan who has brought us eternal salvation, and we make him present whenever we reach out to a wounded brother or sister.
“In this parable, compassion is the defining characteristic of active love; it is neither theoretical nor merely sentimental, but manifests itself through concrete gestures,” he continued. “The Samaritan drew near, tended the wounds, took charge and provided care.”’
Whether those wounds are found on Colfax, in the mountains or on the plains, whether they appear in hospitals, nursing homes or assisted living facilities, Pope Leo calls each of us not only to practically care for our suffering brothers and sisters, but to love them.
“The primacy of divine love implies that human action is carried out not for self-interest or reward, but as a manifestation of a love that transcends ritual norms and finds expression in authentic worship. To serve one’s neighbor is to love God through deeds,” he wrote.
Locally, the annual World Day for the Sick Mass presents a perfect opportunity to extend that “divine love” that “finds expression in authentic worship. Sponsored by the Order of Malta, Colorado Location, the annual liturgy will be celebrated on Sunday, February 15, at noon by Denver Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodríguez at Holy Ghost Parish in Denver. The Mass will include the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and a special blessing for caregivers.
As the Colorado faithful come together — mere steps from that not-so-hypothetical modern Samaritan parable — to pray and intercede for all those who are sick, as well as their caregivers, the Church will also witness to the “Samaritan spirit” of Christ in caring for fellow members of his Body.
“I genuinely hope that our Christian lifestyle will always reflect this fraternal, ‘Samaritan’ spirit — one that is welcoming, courageous, committed and supportive, rooted in our union with God and our faith in Jesus Christ,” Pope Leo wrote. “Enkindled by this divine love, we will surely be able to give of ourselves for the good of all who suffer, especially our brothers and sisters who are sick, elderly or afflicted.”
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World Day for the Sick Mass
Celebrated by Bishop Jorge Rodríguez
Sponsored by the Order of Malta, Colorado Location
Sunday, February 15, 2026
12:00 p.m.Holy Ghost Parish
1900 California St.
Denver, CO
