Biography
St. John XXIII (Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, 1881–1963) was pope from 1958 until his death in 1963. Born into a large family of poor sharecroppers in northern Italy, he was ordained in 1904 and served as a seminary teacher, military chaplain in World War I, Vatican diplomat in Eastern Europe and France, and later Patriarch of Venice. Elevated to cardinal in 1953, he was unexpectedly elected pope at age 76 in 1958. Though seen at first as a transitional figure, John XXIII transformed the Catholic Church by calling the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), which modernized church practices, emphasized pastoral outreach, promoted Christian unity, and fostered dialogue with other religions. He also expanded the College of Cardinals, appointing members from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and prohibited political interference by clergy. His encyclicals, including Mater et Magistra (1961) and Pacem in terris (1963), advanced social justice, peace, and human dignity. Despite being diagnosed with cancer in 1962, he continued his mission until his death in 1963. Remembered as “the Good Pope” (il papa buono), he was beatified in 2000 and canonized in 2014 alongside John Paul II by Pope Francis. His feast day is October 11. His legacy is that of a warm, humble, and visionary pope who opened the Catholic Church to the modern world. [1] Vatican Website Saint John XXIII Biography Note: Optional Memorials and Commemorations are optional celebrations and, at present, we do not include content specific to these special days. This “About Today” is provided so that you can celebrate this Saint as you worship Christ. Thank you for praying with us. If you feel called, your Lenten offering helps carry this prayer to more hearts and languages. Contribute now