Pope JOHN XXIII

Profile

Italian peasant. Educated @ Bergamo and the Seminario Romano, Rome. Ordained in 1904. Secretary to the bishop of Bergamo from 1904 to 1914, during which he wrote the basis for his 5-volume biography of Saint Charles Borromeo. Served in World War I in the medical corps, and as a chaplain. Worked in Rome after the war, and reorganized the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. Archbishop in 1925. Vatican diplomatic representative to Bulgaria, then Turkey, and Greece. Named papal nuncio to France in 1944 where he mediated between conservative and socially radical clergy. Cardinal and patriarch of Venice in 1953. Elected pope on 28 October 1958.

As pope, he stressed his own pastoral duties as well as those of other bishops and clergy. Promoted social reforms for workers, poor people, orphans, and the outcast. He advanced cooperation with other religions including Protestant, Greek Orthodox, Church of England, and even Shinto. In April 1959, he forbade Catholics to vote for parties supporting Communism. His encyclical Mater et Magistra of 14 July 1961 advocated social reform, assistance to underdeveloped countries, a living wage for all workers, and support for socialist measures that promised real benefit to society.

He nearly doubled the number of cardinals, making the college the largest in history. On 25 January 1959, he announced his intent to call a council to consider ways to renew the Church in the modern world, promote diversity within the unity of the Church, and consider reforms promoted by ecumenical and liturgical movements. Convening the council, known as Vatican II, on 11 October 1962, was the high point of his reign.

His heartiness, his overflowing love for humanity individually and collectively, and his freshness of approach to ecclesiastical affairs made John one of the best-loved popes of modern times.

Birth

1881 @ Sotto il Monte, Italy as Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli

Papal Ascension

28 October 1958

Death

3 June 1963 @ Rome, Italy

Beatified

3 September 2000 by Pope John Paul II @ Saint Peter's Square, Rome

Canonized

pending

Patronage

papal delegates

Additional Infomation

L'Osservatore Romano
L'Osservatore Romano

Images

Writings

Last Will and Testament, 29 June 1954
Ad Petri Cathedram: On Truth, Unity and Peace, 29 June 1959
Sacerdotii Nostri Primordia: On Saint John Vianney, 1 August 1959
Grata Recordatio: On the Rosary, 26 September 1959
Meditation for the Feast of the Guardian Angels, 2 October 1959
Princeps Pastorum: Prince of the Shepherds, 28 November 1959
True Christian Peace, 23 December 1959
Counsels for Seminarians, 28 January 1960
One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic, 13 November 1960
The Roman Synod And The Priest, 24 November 1960
Sanguis Christi: On Promoting Devotion to the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, 30 June 1960
Mater et Magistra: On Health and Apostolic Benediction, 15 May 1961
The Way of Peace, 10 September 1961
Aeterna Dei Sapientia: On Saint Leo the Great, 11 November 1961
Veterum Sapientia: On the Promotion of the Study of Latin, 22 February 1962
Paenitentiam Agere: On Penance, 1 July 1962
The Art Of Spiritual Direction, 9 September 1962
Address at the Opening of Vatican Council II, 11 October 1962
Pacem in Terris: Peace on Earth, 11 April 1963
Meditation for the Feast Saint Francis of Assisi

Readings

Everyone remembers the image of Pope John's smiling face and two outstretched arms embracing the whole world. How many people were won over by his simplicity of heart, combined with a broad experience of people and things! The breath of newness he brought certainly did not concern doctrine, but rather the way to explain it; his style of speaking and acting was new, as was his friendly approach to ordinary people and to the powerful of the world. It was in this spirit that he called the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, thereby turning a new page in the Church's history Christians heard themselves called to proclaim the Gospel with renewed courage and greater attentiveness to the "signs" of the times. The Council was a truly prophetic insight of this elderly Pontiff who, even amid many difficulties, opened a season of hope for Christians and for humanity. In the last moments of his earthly life, he entrusted his testament to the Church: "What counts the most in life is blessed Jesus Christ, his holy Church, his Gospel, truth and goodness".

-Pope John Paul II