March 19: Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church and of the Vatican City State
A man seemingly fragile and fallible yet courageous and strong in faith
“Dear brothers and sisters, we consecrate the Vatican City State also to Saint Joseph, the guardian of Jesus, the guardian of the Holy Family. May his presence make us ever stronger and more courageous in making room for God in our lives, so as always to overcome evil with good. To him we ask that he protect us, take care of us, so that the life of Grace may grow more and more each day in each one of us.”
Thus spoke Pope Francis on July 5, 2013, in the Vatican Gardens, during the blessing of the new statue of Saint Michael the Archangel. On that occasion, the Pontiff proclaimed Saint Joseph Patron of the Vatican City State together with Saint Michael Archangel.
Pope Leo XIV, in the Angelus of Sunday, December 21, 2025, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, recalling that the Liturgy on that day invites reflection on the figure of Saint Joseph, emphasized how the Patron of the Universal Church is presented, in particular, “we see him at the moment when God reveals his mission in a dream (cf. Mt 1:18–24). Thus, a very beautiful episode of salvation history is presented, in which the protagonist, like us, is a fragile and fallible man, yet at the same time is courageous and strong in faith.”
The Pontiff noted that the Evangelist Matthew calls him a “just man (cf. Mt 1:19), characterizing him as a pious Israelite who observes the Law and attends the synagogue. In addition to this, however, Joseph of Nazareth also strikes us as someone who is keenly sensitive and human.”
In fact, even before the Angel “reveals to him the mystery that is taking place in Mary. When Joseph is faced with a situation that is difficult to understand and accept, with regard to his future bride, he does not choose the path of scandal and public condemnation, but the discreet and benevolent path of secret repudiation (cf. Mt 1:19). In this way, he shows that he understands the deepest meaning of his own religious observance: the meaning of mercy.”
Moreover, “purity and nobility of his sentiments, however, become even more evident when the Lord, in a dream, reveals his plan of salvation to him, indicating the unexpected role that he must take up as the spouse of the Virgin Mother of the Messiah.” Pope Leo XIV concluded: piety and charity, mercy and trustful abandonment to God’s will: these are the virtues of the man from Nazareth that today’s liturgy shows us.