Every October 11, the Church celebrates Pope Saint John XXIII, an exceptional man, one of the most important figures of the 20th century and symbol of a Church that goes out to meet modern man to remind him that God, from eternity, continues to invite him to share his life, to achieve plenitude and bear fruits of holiness.
Docility to the Holy Spirit
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The “Good Pope”, as Saint John XXIII used to be called, gave the necessary impetus for the Church to renew itself and to be able to raise its voice more clearly in the midst of a world that is increasingly being built behind the back of God.
However, his greatest legacy was, without a doubt, his holiness. This is what Saint John Paul II said in the homily at the mass celebrated on the occasion of the transfer of his remains in 2001: “I would like to emphasize in a particular way that the most valuable gift that Pope John XXIII has left to the people of God is himself, that is, his testimony of holiness” (Solemnity of Pentecost – June 3, 2001).
Likewise, the Pilgrim Pope recalled on that occasion some words that John XXIII once pronounced, thinking of the saints and Pontiffs buried in St. Peter’s Basilica: “Oh, the saints, the saints of the Lord, who everywhere make us happy “They encourage us and bless us!”
‘The Good Pope’, ‘Righteous Among the Nations’
Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, Saint John XXIII, was born in Sotto il Monte, Bergamo, Lombardy (Italy) in 1881. From a very young age he was attracted to priestly service; He entered the seminary and was ordained in 1904.
During the Second World War, as a bishop, then apostolic visitor in Poland and, finally, apostolic nuncio in France, he helped save the lives of at least 24 thousand Jews persecuted by the Nazis, using the so-called “transit visa” of the Apostolic Delegation under its jurisdiction. For this reason, after the war, the International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation asked the Holocaust Museum in Israel that Pope John XXIII be designated “Righteous Among the Nations”, an honorary title reserved for non-Jews who helped the Jewish people during the Holocaust. This request was widely supported and finally accepted. Rabbi Simon Moguilevsky, prominent rabbi of Buenos Aires, Argentina, defined Pope Roncalli in those days with these words: “A true man entirely created in the image of God.”
In 1953 he was created Cardinal and upon the death of Pius XII, in 1958, he was elected Supreme Pontiff by the college of cardinals. Over time, he earned the nickname “Good Dad,” thanks to his obvious human qualities: he had a great sense of humor and a very unique people skills. He was helped in this by his good-natured appearance and his perennial smile, characteristics that revealed a soul desirous of Christ.
The entire world – in an extremely turbulent time – became a witness to the Pope’s effort to inspire authentic peace and trust. They were days of tension at all levels. While some world leaders called for confrontation, violence and war, John XXIII sent completely opposite signals: people saw in him the humble, attentive, simple pastor, and at the same time, determined, brave, active.
Light in times of crisis and profound changes
While countercultural and ideological movements raised the flags of subversion of traditional values and principles, Saint John XXIII also made a powerful call for change, but without ignoring the richness of humanity, condensed in the Christian tradition.
The Church, thanks to its teaching, became a voice that was heard, a lighthouse that illuminated the new darkness that was appearing and that still shadows life in society today.
John XXIII also marked the course that subsequent pontiffs would follow: dialogue with secular culture, ecumenism and the search for peace. As part of this pontifical magisterium are the famous encyclicals “Mother and teacher” (Mother and teacher1961, on the teaching of the Church on the question of workers) and “Peace on earth” (Peace on earth1963, on peace between peoples).
The Second Vatican Council
In this magisterial and missionary framework, of a Church open to the world to redeem it in Christ, Saint John XXIII wanted to convene a council. His intention was to put the Church in tune with the new times in total fidelity to the Gospel, but renewed in its proposal.
Thus, Pope Roncalli convened the Second Vatican Council, inaugurated on October 11, 1962. This was unquestionably the greatest event of the Church during the 20th century, whose projection extends into the new millennium. As the years go by, we Catholics become more and more aware of the opportuneness of the council, of the Update (update) that the Spirit demanded to strengthen the Church founded by Jesus Christ and thus enhance its evangelizing mission.
Saint John XXIII was called to the Father’s House on June 3, 1963. Saint John Paul II – heir and protector of the wealth of the Council – beatified him in 2000 and Pope Francis canonized him on April 27, 2014.
Saint John XXIII, intercede for peace in the world!
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If you want to know more about the life and work of Pope Saint John XXIII, we recommend this article from the Catholic Encyclopedia: https://ec.aciprensa.com/wiki/Papa_San_Juan_XXIII.
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