Pope Saint John XXIII

Pope Saint John XXIII was the pope of the Catholic Church from 1958 to 1963. He is remembered as the pope who called the Second Vatican Council. This council brought many changes to the Church. He wanted the Church to speak to the modern world in a better way.

His birth name was Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli. He was born in Italy. He later took the name John XXIII when he became pope. Some people called him “Good Pope John” because he was kind and warm.

He became pope when he was already an old man. Many thought he would not do much as pope. But he surprised people. He had big ideas and deep trust in God. He believed that the Church needed to open its windows to the world.

He is now a saint in the Catholic Church. Many people look up to him for his faith, his kindness, and his love for peace.

Angelo Roncalli was born on November 25, 1881, in a small village called Sotto il Monte in Italy. His family was poor. They worked as farmers. Angelo was the fourth of thirteen children. Life was simple and hard, but his family was full of faith.

Even as a child, Angelo loved going to church. He listened closely and prayed often. The village priest noticed his love for God. He helped Angelo go to school and then to the seminary. Angelo was a good student. He worked hard and learned quickly.

He was ordained a priest in 1904. He was still young, but people already saw that he was wise and gentle. He kept close to the poor. He did not try to be better than others. He served quietly and with care.

During World War I, he served as a military chaplain. He helped soldiers and the sick. He saw the pain of war. This made him love peace even more. He never forgot the people he met during that time.

After the war, Fr. Roncalli was given many roles in the Church. He worked as a teacher, a bishop, and a Vatican diplomat. He was sent to many countries. He lived in Bulgaria, Turkey, and France. In each place, he tried to be kind to everyone, even those who were not Catholic.

He helped many people during World War II. He worked to save Jewish people from death. He helped them escape and gave them papers to stay safe. He never bragged about these actions. He did them because he believed it was right.

He became the Patriarch of Venice in 1953. That means he was the bishop of Venice. People loved him there. He walked among the people. He visited the sick. He listened to the poor. He did not act like an important man. He acted like a simple priest.

Even though he was getting older, he stayed active. He kept learning and praying. He trusted God would guide his path. When the cardinals met to choose a new pope in 1958, they chose him. They thought he would be a quiet pope who would not do much. They were wrong.

John XXIII became pope in 1958. He was already 76 years old. Many thought he would just keep things as they were. But he had something new in mind. Just three months after becoming pope, he announced the Second Vatican Council.

The council began in 1962. It brought bishops from all over the world. It was not called because of a crisis. John XXIII wanted the Church to speak to the modern world in a clear way. He said the Church needed to open its windows and let in fresh air.

He wanted the Church to be closer to the people. He asked the Church to show mercy and not just rules. He believed the Holy Spirit was still at work in the world. He trusted the bishops to listen to that Spirit together.

He did not live to see the council finish. He died in 1963, after only four and a half years as pope. But the council he started continued under Pope Saint Paul VI and changed many things in the Church. His short time as pope left a lasting mark.

Pope John XXIII lived a simple life even as pope. He did not try to impress anyone. He spoke clearly and gently. People listened to him because he was real. He loved the poor and often visited hospitals and prisons.

He once said, “See everything, overlook a lot, correct a little.” This shows how he led with patience and kindness. He did not want to fight. He wanted peace in the world and peace in the Church. He prayed often and asked others to pray with him.

He also wrote letters, called encyclicals, to teach the Church. One of them was Pacem in Terris, which means “Peace on Earth.” In it, he spoke about the need for justice, truth, and peace among nations. He wrote not only to Catholics, but to all people of good will.

People from many faiths respected him. Even people who were not religious saw that he was honest and caring. He made the Church feel more open and warm. Many people felt hope because of him.

John XXIII died on June 3, 1963. Many people around the world mourned him. He had touched many lives. Years later, people asked the Church to declare him a saint. They believed he had lived a holy life.

Pope Francis declared him a saint on April 27, 2014. He was canonized on the same day as Pope John Paul II. The Church did not wait for a second miracle. Pope Francis said his life of holiness and the good he did for the Church were clear signs.

His feast day is October 11. This is the day the Second Vatican Council opened in 1962. It reminds us of his great gift to the Church. He is known as the patron saint of the Second Vatican Council and of Christian unity.

Pope Saint John XXIII is remembered as a pope who listened, who loved, and who trusted God. His life shows that even a quiet person can make a big difference. He helped the Church speak with joy and kindness to the world.

Just for Today

Pope Saint John XXIII carried the weight of leading the Church through major change, yet he stayed grounded by focusing on one day at a time. He lived by ten simple rules, each meant to help him live well just for today.

These rules are not complicated. They encourage patience, kindness, gratitude, courage, and faith. Saint John reminds us that we don’t have to solve everything at once. We can live the day in peace, choosing one good thing at a time. Like him, we can find strength in trusting that God is taking care of tomorrow.

Get a children’s book with Pope Saint John XXIII’s ten “Just for Today” rules

Journal of a Soul: The Autobiography of Pope John XXIII

Journal of a Soul is the personal story of Pope John XXIII, told in his own words. It shares his thoughts and prayers from his youth to his time as pope. The book shows how he grew in faith as a student, priest, and leader. It includes his personal notes, letters, prayers, and even his will. There is also a short biography written by his secretary. This book gives a simple and honest look at the life of a pope who cared deeply for others and stayed close to God.