Pope John XXIII

Ioannes_XXIII,_by_De_Agostini,_1958%E2%80%931963

Pope John XXIII

Pope John XXIII, born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, was the 261st Pope of the Catholic Church, serving from 1958 to 1963. He was born on November 25, 1881, in Sotto il Monte, Italy. Pope John XXIII is known for his contributions to the Second Vatican Council, which aimed to modernize the Church and promote unity among Christians.

Early Life

Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was ordained as a priest in 1904 and served in various roles within the Church. He was appointed as the Apostolic Delegate to Turkey and Greece during World War II, where he helped save many Jewish refugees. In 1953, he was made a cardinal by Pope Pius XII.

Papacy

Upon the death of Pope Pius XII in 1958, Cardinal Roncalli was elected as Pope and took the name John XXIII. During his papacy, he initiated the Second Vatican Council, which introduced significant reforms to the Church, including changes to liturgy, ecumenism, and social justice.

Pope John XXIII was known for his humility, sense of humor, and openness to dialogue with people of different faiths. He emphasized the importance of peace and reconciliation in a world marked by division and conflict.

Legacy

Pope John XXIII's papacy had a lasting impact on the Catholic Church and the wider world. His efforts to promote unity and dialogue continue to influence Church teachings and practices. He was canonized as a saint by Pope Francis in 2014.