THE MESSAGES OF POPE LEO XIV AND ARCHBISHOP JOHN BONAVENTURE KWOFIE TO MARK THE 34TH WORLD DAY OF THE SICK, 2026.
Photo Credit: Vatican media
The compassion of the Samaritan is the main theme chosen for the 34th World Day of the Sick held at Chiclayo, Peru, on 11th February by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. In his statement, he emphasizes the Good Samaritan’s story as an important piece for reengaging the beauty of charity and the social aspects of compassion. Hence re-invigorating our efforts to care for the sick and the needy.
Revisiting the Gospel of Saint Luke precisely in (Lk 10:25-37), a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho was attacked by robbers and died. A priest and a Levite passed by without attending to him, but the Samaritan took care of him, nursed him, and brought him to shelter. His Holiness related this to a written document by his predecessor Pope Francis, which states that compassion and mercy towards those in need are not reduced to merely individual effort, but are realized through relationships with the needs of our brothers and sisters, with respect to those who care for them, and also with God who gives us his love.
Looking upon him with an open and attentive gaze – the very gaze of Jesus, the Samaritan was led to act with human and compassionate closeness, highlighting the gift of encounter, projecting the joy of offering closeness and presence. As a shared mission of caring for the sick, His Holiness said that “To be one in the One” means truly recognizing that we are members of a single Body that brings the Lord’s compassion to the afflicted and thus hastens the progress of unity for all. Always driven by love for God to encounter ourselves and our neighbor, Pope Leo asserted that the true remedy for humanity’s wounds is a style of life based on fraternal love, which is rooted in God’s love. He prayed that we come to the Blessed Virgin Mary for her intercession for the sick in these celebrations.
The Chief Shepherd of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, Most Rev.John Bonaventure Kwofie CSSp, in a like manner, honoring the World Day of the sick also reiterated the call to help complete the Legacy of Hope Children’s Hospital at Adjen-Kotoku. In achieving that, he advised that all should be deliberate and intentionally put in all efforts to bring the project to a conclusion to help the sick and the vulnerable.
On his 34th World Day of the Sick Celebrations, he enumerated an itinerary to make the program useful and memorable. Firstly, he charged all Priests to offer Holy Mass on Wednesday, February 11, for God’s healing for the Sick. He also encouraged all Parishes and Churches to team up with the welfare committee and the like to visit the sick on the 14th day of February, not excluding outreaches going beyond the church walls, such as hospitals within their various localities. Bishop Kwofie lastly admonished that Priests should offer Mass for all Health Workers, inviting them to pray for them.
In juxtaposing the two statements, the leaders reflect passionately on caregiving to the vulnerable in our societies as a key factor in our Christian life’s journey, and that must not be overlooked, especially in marking this year’s World Day Celebrations.
Anita Aryeh,
DEPSOCOM, Accra.
