Feast of St. Joseph the Worker: Pope Leo on the dignity of work
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 five quotes from Pope Leo for reflection:
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
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
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
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
This article was written by OSV News staff.
Featured image: A collage photo shows Pope Leo XIV delivering the homily as he celebrates the ordination Mass of 10 priests in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican April 26, 2026, and a statue of St. Joseph the Worker stands outside of St. Joseph Church in Oneida, Wis. (OSV News photo/Mario Tomassetti, Vatican Media/Sam Lucero/Collage by Jersey Catholic)
