Caritas Internationalis Health Gathering: June 23, 2026

Caritas Internationalis. Scripture often portrays Jesus as the Divine Physician, who brings salus to the infirm by healing a wide range of mental, physical and spiritual afflictions that caused them to suffer pain, humiliation and isolation. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, delivered the message from Pope Leo XIV to the Caritas Internationalis Health Gathering, occurring from June 23-25 at Castel Gondolfo, the summer residence of Pope Leo XIV.

Caritas Internationalis

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV sends cordial greetings and the assurance of his spiritual closeness to all those attending the Conference on Health, focused on “A holistic approach to health in the Caritas Confederation.” He prays that the deliberations will contribute to a new impetus for cooperation and solidarity in your efforts to improve healthcare to the sick based on Gospel values. Indeed, Scripture often portrays Jesus as the Divine Physician, who brings salus to the infirm by healing a wide range of mental, physical and spiritual afflictions that caused them to suffer pain, humiliation and isolation. His Holiness recently affirmed in Magnifica Humanitas that the ontological “dignity that belongs to every human being simply by virtue of existing, of having been willed, created and loved by God” (52), therefore transcends his or her individual circumstances. By restoring their health, Jesus reveals this inherent dignity (cf. Gen 1:26) and thus points to our eternal salvation in God. The Holy Father encourages you to continue your contribution to the mission of the Church as she proclaims the Kingdom of God through her presence among the sick, demonstrating that salvation is not an abstract idea but begins with the concrete action of healing the wounds of those who suffer (cf. Dilexi Te, 52). In this way, he trusts that your work will always be directed to bringing God’s compassion and goodness to those most in need. With these sentiments, Pope Leo XIV willingly imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of wisdom, strength and joy in the Lord upon all of you and your collaborators. 

Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State

Caritas Internationalis bring together 162 independent national organisations in more than 200 countries and territories, each responding to its local context while forming one network that provides emergency  relief, supports long-term development and calls for justice and peace.
Guided by the values and principles of Catholic Social Teaching and inspired by the Gospel, we work with people facing poverty, exclusion, conflict and the effects of climate change. It’s not only about reacting when crises happen. We stay, we listen and we act, helping communities through urgent needs and as they rebuild their futures. Together, we’re a community of hope.

Working with people of all faiths and beliefs, we’re always guided by humanitarian principles. Support is based on need alone, with no discrimination.

As part of the Church’s mission, we promote integral human development and care for creation. In practice, this means serving, accompanying and defending people who are living in poverty or marginalisation while protecting our common home.

We’re compassionate in how we work, professional in diverse cultural settings, and always in cooperation with each other and the people we serve.

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