Papa Giovanni XXIII
Pope John XXIII
- Birth Name: Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli
- Born: November 25, 1881, Sotto il Monte, Bergamo, Italy
- Died: June 3, 1963, Vatican City
- Papal Reign: October 28, 1958 – June 3, 1963
- Predecessor: Pope Pius XII
- Successor: Pope Paul VI
Early Life and Career:
Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was born on November 25, 1881, in Sotto il Monte, a small town in the Bergamo province of Lombardy, Italy. He was the fourth of thirteen children born to Giovanni Battista Roncalli and Marianna Mazzola. His father was a sharecropper and his mother was a homemaker.
Roncalli attended the local elementary school and then the seminary in Bergamo. He was ordained a priest in 1904 and served as a parish priest in several parishes in the Bergamo diocese. In 1919, he was appointed spiritual director of the Bergamo seminary.
In 1921, Roncalli was appointed Bishop of Bergamo. He was consecrated a bishop on March 13, 1921. As Bishop of Bergamo, Roncalli was known for his pastoral zeal and his efforts to promote social justice. He also played an important role in the Italian resistance movement during World War II.
Papal Election and Reign:
In 1958, Roncalli was elected Pope at the age of 76. He took the name John XXIII. John XXIII was a popular Pope who was known for his warmth, his sense of humor, and his commitment to peace and ecumenism.
One of John XXIII's most significant achievements was the convening of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). The Second Vatican Council was a major turning point in the history of the Catholic Church. It resulted in a number of reforms, including the use of vernacular languages in the liturgy, the promotion of ecumenism, and the recognition of the importance of religious freedom.
John XXIII also played an important role in the resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. He sent a letter to President John F. Kennedy and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev urging them to find a peaceful solution to the crisis.
Death and Legacy:
John XXIII died on June 3, 1963, at the age of 81. He was succeeded by Pope Paul VI.
John XXIII is remembered as one of the most important Popes of the 20th century. He is known for his warmth, his sense of humor, and his commitment to peace and ecumenism. His legacy includes the Second Vatican Council and the resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Canonization:
John XXIII was canonized a saint by Pope Francis on April 27, 2014. He is now known as Saint John XXIII.
