St. John XXIII

Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, who would become Pope John XXIII, was born on November 25, 1881, in the small village of Sotto il Monte, Italy. He was the fourth of fourteen children born to poor parents who made their living by sharecropping. Despite his humble origins, this baby would eventually become one of the most influential popes in recent history, changing the Church forever through his vision, mercy, and courage.

Roncalli's career within the Church began in 1904 when he graduated from university with a doctorate in theology. He was ordained a priest thereafter and soon met Pope Pius X in Rome, an encounter that would shape his understanding of the papacy and the Church's mission in the modern world. His early years as a priest were marked by a deep commitment to pastoral care and a growing awareness of the Church's role in addressing the needs of contemporary society.

By 1905, Roncalli was appointed to act as secretary for his bishop, Giacomo Radini-Tedeschi. He continued working as the bishop's secretary until the bishop died in August 1914. The bishop's last words to Roncalli were, "Pray for peace." These words would prove prophetic as the world teetered on the brink of World War I. Italy was eventually drawn into the war and Roncalli was drafted into the Italian Army as a stretcher bearer and chaplain, serving with distinction until his discharge in 1919.

After the war, Roncalli was appointed to be the Italian president of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, handpicked by Pope Benedict XV. This position gave him valuable experience in the Church's missionary work and international relations. In February 1925, Roncalli was summoned to the Vatican and given a new mission as Apostolic Visitor to Bulgaria. Later, he was appointed apostolic delegate to Turkey and Greece and made archbishop of Mesembria.

During his time in Turkey and Greece, beginning in 1935, racial tensions and anti-Jewish sentiment began to explode into actual acts of violence against Jews and other ethnic minorities. Roncalli started using his influence to save as many people as he could from the depredation of both local authorities and later the Nazis. During his tenure as archbishop, Roncalli saved thousands of Jews, enough that he was named a "Righteous Gentile" following the war, a testament to his courage and compassion in the face of evil.

In late 1944, the Church was anxious to remove clergy in France that had collaborated with the Nazis in various forms. Roncalli was appointed as the new papal Nuncio and sent to France to negotiate the retirement of bishops who were involved with the Nazis. This delicate diplomatic mission required both tact and firmness, qualities that Roncalli possessed in abundance.

In 1952, Roncalli was offered a new position as Patriarch of Venice. At the same time he assumed his new title, Roncalli became the Cardinal-Priest of Santa Prisca. He assumed his new responsibilities on March 15, 1953. His time in Venice was marked by his characteristic warmth and accessibility, earning him the affection of the Venetian people and preparing him for the even greater responsibilities that lay ahead.

Roncalli's papal predecessor died on October 9, 1958, and he was soon summoned to Rome where he was to participate in the process of selecting a new pope. The College of Cardinals eventually settled on Roncalli for election and he accepted, saying "I will be called John," a surprising choice because of that name's association with schism, but one that would prove prophetic of his role in bringing renewal to the Church.

As Pope John XXIII, he immediately began to change the culture in the Vatican. On Christmas 1958, he resumed the papal practice of making visits to the community within the official Diocese of Rome. He visited the sick, the poor, and prisoners, showing the world that the Pope was not a distant figure but a shepherd who cared for his flock. He also apologized for episodes of anti-Semitism within the Church carried on by some of his predecessors, demonstrating his commitment to truth and reconciliation.

It was originally expected that Pope John XXIII would only serve a short time before passing away and that he would make no significant changes to Church practice. However, Pope John XXIII was a man of great mercy and kindness and much like Pope Francis of today, he did many things that created sensation in the streets and pews. His warmth, humor, and accessibility endeared him to people around the world, earning him the affectionate title "the Good Pope."

Perhaps his most influential decision was the call for an ecumenical council which would be known as Vatican II. This council, which opened on October 11, 1962, would become one of the most significant events in the history of the Catholic Church. As a result of this council, many practices of the classic Church would be altered with a new emphasis on ecumenism and a new liturgy, marking the beginning of a new era in the Church's relationship with the modern world.

Pope John XXIII addressed several topics of importance to Catholics around the world. He prohibited the use of contraceptives which interfere with the procreative will of God. He upheld the traditional view that married couples may not divorce. He also moved to protect the Church from scandal, ordering confidentiality when dealing with matters of clergy accused of the sexual abuse of children. How his request to the bishops of his time was interpreted remains subject to debate, but his intention was clearly to protect the Church and its faithful.

By late 1962, Pope John XXIII had executed most of the work for which he would be known. He was, like his own sister before him, diagnosed with stomach cancer, which was a terminal diagnosis for that time. In his last months, he offered to negotiate peace between the Soviet Union and the United States, then at the height of the Cold War. The offer, although declined, was popular in both countries and demonstrated his commitment to peace and dialogue. In the wake of the news, John XXIII was the first pope to be honored as the Time Magazine Man of the Year.

Pope John XXIII did the best he could although his health and doctors were failing. On June 3, 1963, Pope John XXIII died in his bed at age 81. The world mourned John XXIII and he was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Johnson in December 1963. Pope John XXIII generally maintained a good reputation among those who remembered him and he was often titled "the Good." On September 3, 2000, Pope John Paul II beatified him, and Pope Francis approved John XXIII for canonization on June 3, 2013, the 50th anniversary of his death. He was canonized on April 27, 2014, alongside St. John Paul II.

Liturgical Celebration

The feast of St. John XXIII is celebrated on October 11th, commemorating the opening of the Second Vatican Council on October 11, 1962. This special feast day is intended as a commemoration of the council's opening rather than the day of his death (June 3), emphasizing the significance of Vatican II in his legacy. This feast honors his life as a reformer, his commitment to the Church's renewal, and his role in bringing the Church into dialogue with the modern world.

Historical Context

St. John XXIII lived during a period of tremendous change in the world, including two world wars, the Cold War, and the beginning of the modern era. His papacy (1958-1963) came at a time when the Church was seeking to respond to the challenges of the modern world while remaining faithful to its traditions. His decision to convene Vatican II was a response to what he called "the signs of the times," recognizing that the Church needed to engage with contemporary society in new ways.

Devotional Practices

On his feast day, Catholics pray for his intercession, especially for popes and church leaders, for those working for Church renewal and reform, for peace and dialogue in the world, for the protection of human rights, and for the success of ecumenical efforts. His example inspires us to be open to the Holy Spirit's guidance, to show mercy and compassion to others, and to work for the renewal of the Church and society.