The story of their life
A warm Italian diplomat and pope who surprised the Church by convening the Second Vatican Council and promoting peace. His pontificate unfolded during the Cold War, nuclear fear, decolonisation and rapid social change.
Saint19th–20th century · Feast October 11
St John XXIII
Also known as Pope John XXIII, Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, Good Pope John
Pope
Bishop of Rome
A warm Italian diplomat and pope who surprised the Church by convening the Second Vatican Council and promoting peace.
A note on content. This profile is a prototype draft. Devotional traditions, historical facts and uncertain traditions will be clearly identified once entries are reviewed. We do not publish invented quotations.
Historical context
His pontificate unfolded during the Cold War, nuclear fear, decolonisation and rapid social change.
Defining moments
- Military chaplaincy
- Vatican diplomacy
- Helping Jews during war
- Election as pope
- Calling Vatican II
- Publishing Pacem in Terris
Faith and spirituality
Pastoral warmth, humour, peacebuilding and openness to renewal.
Why this saint matters today
A companion for older leaders, diplomats and institutions needing renewal without contempt for tradition.
Patronage and intercession
People turn to St John XXIII in matters of:
Peacebuilders
Diplomats in devotion
Second Vatican Council
A prayer
God of grace, through the intercession of St John XXIII, guide us in truth, courage and love. Amen.
Timeline
Sources and further reading
- https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints.html
- https://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Calendar/
Source-quality status: unverified prototype