Pope Leo XIV has chosen the theme for the 34th World Day of the Sick, which will be celebrated on February 11, 2026: “The compassion of the Samaritan: loving by bearing another’s pain”.

The Holy See Press Office also communicates that the Holy Father has appointed His Eminence Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, as his special envoy to the 34th World Day of the Sick, to be held on 11 February 2026 at the Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Paz, in the diocese of Chiclayo, Peru, which has significant meaning for the earlier episcopal ministry of Pope Leo XIV.

The theme of the World Day of the Sick, focusing on the Gospel figure of the Samaritan who shows love by caring for the suffering man who fell into the hands of thieves, highlights this aspect of love of neighbor: love needs concrete gestures of closeness, through which we enter into the suffering of others, those who are ill, especially those who at the same time experience poverty, isolation, and loneliness .

The World Day of the Sick, established by St. John Paul II in 1992, is a privileged moment of prayer, spiritual closeness, and reflection for the entire Church and for civil society, who are all called to recognize the face of Christ in our sick and vulnerable brothers and sisters. 

With the solemn celebration in Chiclayo, the Universal Church looks to Latin America and its rich tradition of solidarity. Like the Good Samaritan that bent down to help the injured man along the road, the Christian community is also called to stop and help those who suffer and be evangelical witnesses of closeness and service to the sick and most vulnerable.

RESOURCES

Notice of Press Conference, 16.01.2026

On Tuesday 20 January 2026, at 11.30, a press conference will be held at the Holy See Press Office, Via della Conciliazione 54, to present the Message of the Holy Father Leo XIV for the 34th World Day of the Sick 2026, to be celebrated on 11 February 2026,on the theme: “The compassion of the Samaritan: loving by bearing another’s pain”.

The panel will be composed of:

– Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development; official delegate of Pope Leo XIV for the World Day of the Sick in Chiclayo, Peru;

– Fr. Michel Daubanes, rector of the Shrine of Notre Dame of Lourdes;

– Dr. Giulia Civitelli, physician responsible for the Caritas Clinic – Rome (Scalabrinian Secular Missionary);

– Marina Melone, of “Casa Gelsomino” in the parish of San Gregorio XII, centre for hosting and helping the families of children admitted to Bambino Gesù Hospital.

The press conference will be livestreamed in the original language on the Vatican News YouTube channel, at https://www.youtube.com/c/VaticanNews

Remote participation

Journalists and media operators who wish to participate remotely in the press conference must apply, no later than two hours before the event, via the Holy See Press Office online accreditation system, at https://press.vatican.va/accreditamenti, selecting the event: CS Messaggio Giornata Mondiale del Malato 2026.

During the request phase, select the option “Sì” in the box “Partecipazione da remoto”.

Journalists and media operators who are admitted will receive confirmation of participation via the online accreditation system and, at the same time, the link to access the virtual platform and to participate actively in the press conference, with the possibility to ask questions.

Participation in person

Journalists and media operators who wish to participate in the press conference in person must apply, no later than 24 hours before the event, via the Holy See Press Office online accreditation system, at https://press.vatican.va/accreditamenti, selecting the event: CS Messaggio Giornata Mondiale del Malato 2026.

Journalists and media operators who are admitted will receive confirmation of participation via the online accreditation system.

Simultaneous translation

Both by connecting to the respective Vatican News linguistic YouTube channels and by using the virtual participation platform indicated in the paragraph “Remote participation”, it will be possible to access the simultaneous translation channels and to listen to the press conference in Italian, French, English and Spanish.

Simultaneous translation will also be available to those present at the Holy See Press Office.

* * *

Journalists and media operators accredited for the press conference are requested to arrive 30 minutes before the start time.