In his weekly Angelus address Dec. 21, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the figure of Saint Joseph, describing him as “a fragile and fallible man, yet at the same time is courageous and strong in faith.”
The address meditated on the Sunday Gospel reading (Matthew 1:18-24), which depicts how an angel appeared to St. Joseph, told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, and explained that the Blessed Mother would have a virgin birth.
“The Evangelist Matthew calls [St. Joseph] a ‘just man,’ characterizing him as a pious Israelite who observes the Law and attends the synagogue,” Pope Leo said. “In addition to this, however, Joseph of Nazareth also strikes us as someone who is keenly sensitive and human.”
The Holy Father said that the Evangelist provides an example of St. Joseph’s character.
“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,” he said. “In this way, he shows that he understands the deepest meaning of his own religious observance: the meaning of mercy.”
Pope Leo said that St. Joseph’s response to the dream sent from God displays his holiness even more clearly than his religious observance. He said that the carpenter’s willingness to leave the security of his old life and follow God’s will was “a great act of faith.”
“Piety and charity, mercy and abandonment: these are the virtues of the man from Nazareth that today’s liturgy shows us, so that they may accompany us in these last days of Advent, towards Christmas,” the Pontiff said.
He closed the address by encouraging the faithful to seek help from the Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph.
After the address, the Holy Father greeted the pilgrims present, especially the children. Many had brought figurines of the Christ Child from their nativity sets, which Pope Leo blessed.
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