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Italian peasant. Educated at
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 in Sotto il Monte, Italy as Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli
Death: 3 June 1963 in Rome, Italy
Papal Ascension: 28 October 1958
Beatified: 3 September 2000 by Pope John Paul II @ Saint Peter's
Square, Rome
Canonized: pending
Patronage: papal delegates
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
source:
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/pope0261.htm
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