Pope Saint John XXIII: A Life of Compassion, Humility, and Unity

Pope Saint John XXIII was born on November 25th, 1881, in Sotto il Monte, Italy, and he died on June 3rd, 1963. He was the 262nd Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and served as the head of the Church from October 28th, 1958, until his death in 1963.

John XXIII hailed from a large family of 14 children. The family was poor and eked their livelihood by sharecropping whereby the landowner allowed them to till the land in return for a share of the crops produced on that land.

John XXIII was known for his compassion and kindness, and he was widely loved by the people of the Catholic Church. He was known as "Good Pope John" and was loved for his humility and his warm, approachable nature.

After a brief career in the military, he studied at the seminary of Bergamo and was ordained a priest in 1904. Following his ordination, he was assigned to a variety of pastoral and diplomatic posts in Italy and abroad, including stints as a parish priest in Bergamo and as a diplomat in Bulgaria, Turkey, and France. 

In 1925 he was sent to Bulgaria as the Apostolic Visitor to that country. Later, he was appointed aspostolic delegate to Turkey and Greece and made Archbishop of Mesembria.

Beginning in 1935, racial tensions and anti-Jewish sentiment began to explode into acts of violence against the Jews and other ethnic minorities. Pope John XXIII started using his influence to save what people he could from the depredation of both local authorities and later the Nazis. During his tenure as archbishop, he saved thousands of Jews, enough that he was named a "Righteous Gentile" following the war.

One of Pope John XXIII's most significant accomplishments was his role in the Second Vatican Council. He called for this council in 1959, and it was held from 1962 to 1965. The council was a major event in the history of the Catholic Church, and it brought together leaders from around the world to discuss and make important decisions about the future of the Church. Pope John XXIII played a key role in the council, and his presence helped to create a positive and welcoming atmosphere.

Pope Saint John XXIII was canonized on April 27th, 2014, by Pope Francis. He was canonized alongside Pope John Paul II. The feast day of Pope John XXIII is celebrated on October 11th.

Pope Saint John XXIII is the patron saint of Catholic Action, the sick, and Catholic schools. He is also recognized as a saint of unity and peace, and he is often remembered for his efforts to promote ecumenism, which is the idea that all Christian denominations should work together in peace and harmony.

Pope Saint John XXIII was a beloved pope who was known for his warmth, generosity, and humor. He is remembered for his famous quote, “It is easier to love mankind in general than to love one’s neighbor.” He was also known for his commitment to world peace, and he was the first pope to travel to the Holy Land in 1964.