After 35 years of service to the Vatican, Archbishop Marino is home in Birmingham

After decades serving the Vatican diplomacy in countries around the world, Archbishop Joseph Marino has returned to his hometown of Birmingham, bringing with him a lifetime of experience, faith and wisdom.

From his early days at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Ensley to his years as a papal representative in far-reaching corners of the globe, his journey has been one of deep commitment to the Church and its mission.

We sat down with Archbishop Marino to talk about his unique career path, traveling the world and what it means to come home to Birmingham.

Archbishop Marino’s path took him far from home

After graduating from John Carroll Catholic High School, Marino got his degree from University of Scranton and was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Birmingham in 1979.

Less than a decade later, his path took an unexpected turn when Pope John Paul II called him to serve in the Vatican’s diplomatic corps in 1988.

Looking back, Archbishop Marino admits, he never imagined his journey would take him so far from Birmingham.

“It was a big surprise—I was ready to preach at St. Paul for the rest of my life. It was never part of my plan, but all the assignments I’ve been given have been very satisfying, each one a little different.”

Archbishop Joseph Marino

Four continents in 35 years

Serving in the Vatican’s diplomatic corps took him across the globe.

In 35 years, he served in countries on four continents—Bangladesh, Malaysia, Nigeria, Uruguay and the Philippines, to name a few. Marino also served at the Secretariat of State in Rome, where he had responsibility for the Balkan countries. 

Being away from home for so long, building connections with the people in places where he served was something that kept him grounded. Admittedly, the language barrier was an obstacle, but fortunately he speaks four languages: English, Italian, French and Spanish.

Needless to say, Marino is well-traveled with a wide perspective on the world. Despite his grand level of experience, his humility shines through.

“Seeing locals in different places and their commitment to the church and faith was extremely fulfilling.

Beyond economic, social, or cultural differences, everywhere I’ve been I’ve noticed people want the same things. They share a lot of the same goals—they want their kids to have an education, they want their families to be safe—it really puts things in perspective. “

Archbishop Joseph Marino

In 2019, Pope Francis named Marino President of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy—making him the second American to ever lead the academy.

Looking forward

When Archbishop Marino retired from the Holy See in 2023, he left the Vatican and returned to Birmingham for the first time in nearly 40 years.

Upon his return to home, Archbishop Marino hasn’t slowed down yet—he enjoys preaching mass at The Cathedral of St. Paul in Birmingham, catching up with old friends and spending time in his community.

Even after all his years of traveling, he considers Birmingham his true home.

“Birmingham holds a special place in my heart.

People ask me ‘what’s your favorite city?’ and I always say Birmingham. It’s my home, after all.”

Archbishop Joseph Marino

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