Pope Francis greets Benedict XVI on Feast of St Joseph
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis phoned Benedict XVI to offer best wishes on the feast of St Joseph. It is a tradition for many Catholics to celebrate in a special way the feast day of the saint for whom they are named; the Pope Emeritus was baptized Joseph Ratzinger.
In his turn, Benedict offered congratulations to the Holy Father on the occasion of the second anniversary of the solemn inauguration of Pope Francis’ Petrine Ministry.
Saint Joseph is honoured as the Patron of the Universal Church, and one of the principle Patron Saints of Italy. His feast day is a Solemnity in the Latin liturgical calendar, and is a holiday in the Vatican.