Tomb of Pope St. John XXIII

The Pontiff who commenced the Second Vatican Council

The remains of Pope St. John XXIII are on display for the public to venerate. Orginally called Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, he took the name John XXIII when he was elected pope in 1958. He served as pope until his death in 1963. He most notably commenced the Second Vatican Council, and was given nickname "The Good Pope". He was canonized by Pope Francis on July 5, 2013.

 

Pope St. John XXIII (1881–1963) – Summary

Pope St. John XXIII, born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli on November 25, 1881, in Sotto il Monte, Italy, served as the 261st pope of the Catholic Church from 1958 to 1963. Often called the “Good Pope”, he was known for his humility, kindness, and groundbreaking vision for the Church.

Before becoming pope, he worked as a priest, Vatican diplomat, and cardinal, serving in countries like Bulgaria, Turkey, and France, where he built strong relationships with both Catholics and non-Catholics. He was elected pope on October 28, 1958, initially seen as a transitional leader, but he quickly made history by calling the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) in 1962, a move that transformed the Church’s relationship with the modern world.

His papacy emphasized peace, social justice, and Church renewal. He wrote the famous encyclical Pacem in Terris (1963), calling for world peace and human dignity, especially amid the Cold War tensions. Despite serving for only five years, his impact was profound, and he was deeply loved by people worldwide.

John XXIII passed away on June 3, 1963, before Vatican II was completed, but his vision shaped the Church for decades. He was canonized a saint in 2014 by Pope Francis. Today, he is remembered for his warmth, openness, and desire to bring the Church closer to the people.