In Italy, Father’s Day, known as La Festa del Papà, is celebrated on 19 March.
The date is Saint Joseph’s Day, the feast of Joseph, whom Christian tradition identifies as the earthly father of Jesus. This connection explains why Italy’s observance differs from countries that use the third Sunday of June.
Italian families may mark the day with greetings, presents and traditional sweets. A well-known seasonal dessert is the zeppole di San Giuseppe, a pastry associated with Saint Joseph’s feast, especially in southern Italy.
The Italian date is also used in several other countries with strong Catholic traditions. It should not be confused with Italy’s Republic Day on June 2, a national holiday commemorating the 1946 referendum that established the republic.