(OSV News) — Throughout the first year of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV has returned repeatedly to the topics of labor, economics and the dignity of work. As the Church honors St. Joseph the Worker, the patron saint of all engaged in labor, on May 1, here are nine quotes from Pope Leo for reflection:
“At times, pseudo-scientific data are invoked to support the claim that a free market economy will automatically solve the problem of poverty. Or even that we should opt for pastoral work with the so-called elite, since, rather than wasting time on the poor, it would be better to care for the rich, the influential and professionals, so that with their help real solutions can be found and the Church can feel protected. It is easy to perceive the worldliness behind these positions, which would lead us to view reality through superficial lenses, lacking any light from above, and to cultivate relationships that bring us security and a position of privilege.” — Pope Leo XIV, apostolic exhortation “Dilexi Te,” Oct. 4, 2025
“Let me state once again that the most important way to help the disadvantaged is to assist them in finding a good job, so that they can lead a more dignified life by developing their abilities and contributing their fair share.” — Pope Leo XIV, apostolic exhortation “Dilexi Te,” Oct. 4, 2025
“While recognizing that appropriate policies are necessary to keep communities safe, I encourage you to continue to advocate for society to respect the human dignity of the most vulnerable. By doing so, you are putting into practice the call of my beloved predecessor, Pope Francis, who urged every union to be re-born each day at the peripheries.” — Pope Leo XIV, greeting to labor leaders from Chicago, Oct. 9, 2025
“Work must be a source of hope and life, allowing the expression of individual creativity and capacity for good.” — Pope Leo XIV, audience for the Jubilee of the World of Work, Nov. 8, 2025.
“Human beings are called to be co-workers in the work of creation, not merely passive consumers of content generated by artificial technology. Our dignity lies in our ability to reflect, choose freely, love unconditionally and enter into authentic relationships with others.” — Pope Leo XIV, address to participants in the conference titled “Artificial Intelligence and Care for Our Common Home,” Dec. 5, 2025
“At the center of any work dynamic there should be neither capital, nor market laws nor profit, but the person, the family and their well-being, to which everything else is functional.” — Pope Leo XIV, address to labor consultants, Dec. 18, 2025
“Sometimes we are so caught up in our occupations that we do not think about the Lord or the Church; but the very fact of working with dedication, trying to give our best, and also — for you lay people — with love for your family, for your children, gives glory to the Lord.” — Pope Leo XIV, address to the employees of the Roman Curia, Governorate of Vatican City State and the Vicariate of Rome and their families, Dec. 22, 2025
“Each of us carries out our task and we praise God precisely by doing it well, with commitment.” — Pope Leo XIV, address to employees of the Roman Curia, Governorate of Vatican City State and the Vicariate of Rome and their families, Dec. 22, 2025
“Be a living presence in the Church in the places where you work, In international institutions, in diplomacy, in organizations, in the world of work. Be men and women who build bridges, while others raise walls. Be credible in the silence of deeds, rather than visible in your words. Be a sign, not merely a presence.” — Pope Leo XIV, message for the meeting of the Toniolo Young Professional Association, April 18, 2026
The five saints selected by the WYD Organizing Committee include: St. John Paul II, who founded the World Youth Day celebration; St. Andrew Kim Taegon, the first Korean Catholic priest, and companions who were martyred; St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, patron saint of immigrants; St. Josephine Bakhita, patron saint of victims of human trafficking and modern slavery; and St. Carlo Acutis, the millennial saint known for his use of technology to evangelize.
According to the Asian Catholic news site Licas News, organizers said the lives of the patron saints reflected on issues relevant today, including persecution, migration and social struggle, making them appropriate guides for the global event.
The process of choosing the event’s patron saints began in late 2024, including a survey of young people, youth ministers and pastoral workers, followed by deliberations by the organizing committee, Licas News reported.
Volunteers also studied the lives and spirituality of the saints chosen to prepare prayers and their respective symbolic representations. Among the symbols chosen were a crozier for St. John Paul II and a computer for St. Carlo Acutis.
Commenting on the announcement, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, said the patron saints “play a fundamental role in the preparation” of every WYD.
“They invite young people, formators, and pastors to reflect on the gift of God’s call, on our baptismal, priestly, religious, and marital vocations, encouraging us to respond to it with generosity and courage in following Christ, who has conquered the world, as the theme of the upcoming WYD reminds us,” he said, according to Licas News.
Cardinal Farrell expressed his hope that the lives and witness of the five patron saints “inspire young people around the world, especially in contexts marked by difficulties and persecution, to see that holiness is not a distant ideal, to fix their gaze on Christ and to respond generously to His call.”
Korean Archbishop Peter Soon-Taick Chung of Seoul, president of the WYD organizing committee, noted that each saint “offers a concrete path for living out the faith amidst the realities that young people face today.”
“I hope that young people will discover in these saints examples for their own lives and, through the journey of preparation for World Youth Day, forge a deep spiritual bond with them,” he said.
The official website for World Youth Day 2027 was updated with biographical information on each saint. Organizers also launched an interactive site, titled “Meet Your Patron Saint,” where users can take a short quiz to match with one of the five saints.
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