St. Joseph Cathedral is located in the very centre of Sofia. The construction of the temple began in October 1875. In March 1944 after the bombing of Sofia, the cathedral temple was completely destroyed. Since then only the statue of Virgin Mary of Lourdes was preserved. For over 50 years, the Catholic community in Sofia held its meetings and worships in a small hall near the site of the destroyed temple.
     In 2002, during his visit to Bulgaria, John-Paul II consecrated the new temple construction. The new building of the temple was opened and solemnly consecrated by the Vatican secretary Cardinal Angelo Sodano in May 2006.