I view empathy is the ability to understand and feel another person’s emotions from their perspective. Not always a good thing if experiencing the pain as if it were one's own does more to immobilize than motivate action to alleviate the pain.
To me, compassion is that additional step. It goes beyond the ability to feel another's pain. Compassion is about identifying with suffering in a way that motivates someone to do something to help. I think it has to do with maintaining enough detachment to transform feeling into action.
And on the subject, you might be interested in this post on compassion as the basis of morality (Schopenhauer):
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=19689043
WRT Rick's Trump for Pope, I love the imagery behind "While innocent billionaires are persecuted, while honest, twice-impeached patriots face 34 counts of totally made up charges from liberal extremists, Pope Leo sides with... the Needy?!?"
And the "horrors" of Pope Leo (along with the images). Perfection!
He's weak, forgiving, compassionate, faithful, Catholic, and soft on crime!
He forgives sinners.
He preaches mercy. Mercy!
If he won't punish sinners, what's next? Turn the other cheek?!?
Coincidence??
Or radical agenda straight out of the... New Testament??
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