Pope Leo XIV urged Christians and Muslims to work together in defending human dignity and responding to suffering, warning that modern society risks becoming numb to the pain of others.
According to Vatican News, the Holy Father made the remarks Monday during a meeting at the Vatican with members of Jordan’s Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies and representatives of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. The gathering took place during a colloquium focused on “Human Compassion and Empathy in Modern Times.”
The Pope reflected on how both Christianity and Islam place compassion at the center of religious life. He explained that compassion is not merely an admirable quality, but something rooted in God Himself.
Speaking about Islam, Pope Leo noted that compassion, or “ra’fa,” is viewed as a gift placed by God in the hearts of believers. He pointed to the divine title “al-Ra’uf” — meaning “The ever-compassionate” — as a reminder that “compassion always has its origin in God himself,” according to Vatican News.
Turning to Christianity, the Pope emphasized that God’s compassion becomes fully visible in Jesus Christ. He said divine compassion “becomes visible and tangible” in Christ, Who entered into human suffering through the Incarnation. Rather than remaining distant from mankind’s pain, God chose to experience it directly, becoming “the living embodiment of compassion,” according to Vatican News.
Pope Leo also stressed that compassion carries serious social responsibilities for believers. He said concern for the poor and suffering cannot be treated as optional for Christians.
“Love for the poor” and sharing in their suffering are essential parts of Christian life, the Pope said, according to Vatican News. He also praised Jordan for its “generous efforts” in welcoming refugees fleeing conflict and hardship.
The Holy Father then turned his attention to modern technology and social media, warning that constant exposure to suffering online can slowly harden hearts instead of inspiring mercy.
“While it is true that we are ‘more connected than ever before,’” Pope Leo said, the endless stream of “images and videos of the hardships of others can dull our hearts rather than stir them,” according to Vatican News.
Recalling the words of Pope Francis, he warned that society risks becoming accustomed to suffering, adopting the mentality that “it does not affect me, it does not interest me, it is none of my business.”
Pope Leo concluded by calling Christians and Muslims to a shared mission of charity and solidarity in a wounded world.
Drawing upon the spiritual riches of both faith traditions, he said believers are called “to revive humanity where it has grown cold, to give voice to those who suffer and to transform indifference into solidarity,” according to Vatican News.
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