Pope Leo’s Message for the World Day of the Sick 2026 – LINK

Pastoral Resource from Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops – PDF

The 2026  theme focuses on the Gospel figure of the Good Samaritan, “who shows love by taking care of the wounded and abandoned man on the road,” according to a press release issued by the Holy See in September.

The Vatican said that the theme is meant to emphasize an essential aspect of love of neighbor, one requiring concrete gestures of closeness while being capable of assuming the fragility and suffering of others, particularly those who experience illness accompanied by poverty, isolation, or loneliness.

The Holy See also recalled that Christ, the “Good Samaritan,” continues to draw close to wounded humanity and, through the sacraments of the Church, pours out “the oil of consolation and the wine of hope.”

The World Day of the Sick is held each year on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on Feb. 11, 2026.

Related: Bishop Mark Hagemoen celebrates Compassionate Healers’ Mass – VIDEO of HOMILY Feb. 8, 2026

This year’s theme focuses on the Good Samaritan. (Image courtesy of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops cccb.ca)

 

Loving God,
rock of strength for those who trust in you;
comforter of those who call on you.
Hear the cry of those who suffer
from sickness or weakness,
and embrace them in your loving arms.
Give them peace,
and strengthen them
with the vision of your kingdom.
We make this prayer through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

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This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News/CNA.

EWTN News, Inc. / Catholic News Agency (CNA) offers free access to news items for Catholic dioceses, parishes, and websites.

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