Pope Leo XIV urged Catholics to recognize Christ in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and cerebral palsy, telling a Spanish organization that serving the most vulnerable is both a demanding mission and a profound encounter with Christ.
The Pope made the remarks on August 24, 2026, when he received members of the Marsodeto Federation, an organization based in Toledo, Spain, that supports people with intellectual disabilities and cerebral palsy. The group was in Rome on pilgrimage to mark 45 years of its mission.
According to Vatican News, Pope Leo XIV acknowledged that the Federation’s work is “undoubtedly an arduous task,” involving “much hidden work that no one sees and that only God can reward.” At the same time, he described the mission as “deeply gratifying” because those who serve others can discover “in the face of each person, Jesus Christ Himself.”
The Pope connected the Federation’s work with Christ’s teaching in the Gospel of Matthew: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40).
Vatican News reported that Pope Leo XIV emphasized that recognizing Christ in the lives of the most vulnerable can help society “grow as a human and Christian society.”
The Marsodeto Federation places solidarity, human dignity and full inclusion at the center of its work. Founded in 1980 by Fr. Marcelino Casas Puente, the organization grew from his vision that “no family with a person with an intellectual disability should ever be left without support.”
Today, the Federation serves more than 2,600 people, according to the organization. Its work reflects the conviction that families and people with disabilities should receive sustained support and opportunities to participate fully in society.
Pope Leo XIV also linked the Federation’s mission to his visit to Spain in June, recalling that “the love of Christ urges us towards our brothers and sisters” (cf. 2 Cor 5:14). He said that the charity and care shown in response to this call are “the proof of our faith,” as reported by Vatican News.
The Pope concluded by entrusting the Federation’s members to the protection of Mary and encouraging them to remain focused on Christ amid the difficulties of their work.
“May she encourage you in moments of greatest difficulty and help you always to keep your gaze fixed on the Lord,” Pope Leo XIV said, expressing hope that the Federation would continue to serve as “a true point of reference” for both the Church and society.
The encounter highlighted a message with relevance well beyond Spain: inclusion and care for people with disabilities are not simply social responsibilities but can also become a concrete expression of Christian faith and service.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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