Pope Leo: Compassion Is a Human Duty, Not a Religious Obligation

Vatican City, 28 May, 2025 - Pope Leo XIV has urged people to embrace compassion as a fundamental human value, not merely a religious duty, during his Wednesday General Audience at the Vatican.

Reflecting on the parable of the Good Samaritan, the Pope warned that busy lives must not distract people from recognising the suffering of others. He focused on the interaction between Jesus and a young doctor of the Law from Luke’s Gospel, describing the man as “learned and well-prepared” but ultimately self-centred.

The young man’s question—“Who is my neighbour?”—reveals, according to Pope Leo, a deeper desire for attention. Jesus’ parable shifts the question from “Who loves me?” to “Whom have I loved?” The Pope explained that the first question is immature and passive, while the second reflects an adult understanding of life, one that demands action.

Describing the road from Jerusalem to Jericho as “difficult and dangerous,” the Pope likened it to the journey of life, where one can be “beaten, robbed, and left for dead” by circumstances or even trusted individuals.

Crucially, Pope Leo emphasised that compassion is not confined to religious belief. “Religious practice alone does not automatically lead to compassion,” he said. “It is not a characteristic of religion but one of being human.”

He drew attention to the priest and the Levite in the parable, both of whom ignored the wounded man. They represent those who allow their personal plans to take precedence, unwilling to interrupt their journey for others. “People who believe their journey takes priority are not willing to stop for others,” he said.

In contrast, a Samaritan—“someone from a people traditionally despised”—chose to help. The Pope highlighted that the Samaritan acted not out of religious obligation, but because he saw another human in need.

“Compassion means getting involved,” Pope Leo stated. “You cannot stay at a distance. You have to be prepared to even get dirty, perhaps take risks.” He stressed that compassion requires concrete actions and a willingness to carry the burden of another’s pain.

Ultimately, the Pope concluded, we must recognise our own vulnerability. “Only when we see ourselves as the wounded man can we truly feel compassion.”

Courtesy: Vatican News