Pope Leo XIV captivated the congregation with a reflection on the Parable of the Good Samaritan, urging a “revolution of love” in a world marked by suffering and division.
Editorial (14/07/2025, Gaudium Press)In a poignant address at the Pontifical Parish of Saint Thomas of Villanova, Pope Leo XIV captivated the congregation with a reflection on the Parable of the Good Samaritan, urging a “revolution of love” in a world marked by suffering and division. Delivered during the Sunday Eucharist, the homily emphasized compassion as the cornerstone of Christian faith, challenging believers to see others through the merciful eyes of Christ.
The Pope began by greeting the parish community, clergy, the Bishop of the Diocese, and civil and military authorities, fostering a sense of unity. Drawing from the Gospel of Luke (10:25-37), he presented the Parable of the Good Samaritan as a timeless call to action, warning against a “complacent faith” that prioritizes outward observance over heartfelt compassion. “How we look at others is what counts, because it shows what is in our hearts,” he said, contrasting the indifference of the priest and Levite with the Samaritan’s empathy.
Pope Leo XIV framed the Samaritan as a figure of Jesus, sent by a compassionate God to heal humanity’s wounds. Quoting Pope Francis, he described Jesus as “the compassion of the Father toward us,” and cited Saint Augustine to underscore Christ’s role as humanity’s neighbor. This theological lens served to deepen the parable’s relevance, positioning it as a model for discipleship. “To believe in him and to be his disciples means allowing ourselves to be changed and to take on his same feelings,” the Pope stated, urging the faithful to embody Christ’s mercy.
The homily connected the parable to contemporary challenges, portraying the “road from Jerusalem to Jericho” as a metaphor for those burdened by sin, poverty, and systemic injustices like tyrannical regimes and exploitative economies. Pope Leo XIV posed a stark question: “Do we look and walk by, or do we open our hearts to others, like the Samaritan?” He challenged the tendency to limit neighborly love to those within one’s own group, echoing Pope Benedict XVI’s insight that the Samaritan’s compassion transcends boundaries of merit or identity.
In a call to action, the Pope encouraged the faithful to slow down, see others with empathy, and act with love, asserting that such actions foster fraternity and dismantle barriers. Quoting the Gospel’s closing command, “Go and do likewise,” he invited believers to mirror Christ’s compassion in their daily lives.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican.va
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