Born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli in Sotto il Monte on 25 November 1881, the future Pope Saint John XXIII was to leave an indelible mark on the Catholic Church and the world. His journey, from humble beginnings to leading the Church through a transformative council, showcases a life dedicated to service, faith, and love.
The fourth of thirteen children, Roncalli was baptized on the day of his birth. Under the mentorship of Father Francesco Rebuzzini, he cultivated a deep ecclesiastical foundation. He began his formal theological studies at the Seminary of Bergamo in 1892. During these formative years, he initiated a lifelong habit of spiritual notes, later compiled in the Journal of a Soul. In 1896, Father Luigi lsacchi introduced him to the Secular Franciscan Order, which he professed a year later.
His pursuit of higher studies took him to the Pontifical Roman Seminary between 1901 and 1905. Ordained in 1904, he soon became secretary to Bergamo’s Bishop Giacomo Maria Radini Tedeschi. This period was marked by fervent pastoral work, teaching, writing, and forging ties with saintly bishops like Saint Charles Borromeo.
As World War I raged, Roncalli served as a sergeant medic, and later as a chaplain for the military and students. His unwavering spirit was evident in his efforts to assist soldiers, provide spiritual guidance, and later, as spiritual director of the Seminary in 1919.
1921 ushered in a new chapter: his service to the Vatican. His roles varied from promoting missions in Italy to becoming the Apostolic Visitor to Bulgaria. Throughout his assignments, whether enduring natural calamities or navigating diplomatic intricacies, Roncalli’s ethos of “Obtedientia et Pax” (Obedience and Peace) shone through.
In the turbulent times of World War II, as Apostolic Delegate in Turkey and Greece, he championed interfaith dialogue and discreetly facilitated Jewish refugees’ escape. His subsequent role as Apostolic Nuncio in post-war France highlighted his diplomatic finesse and pastoral sensibilities.
In 1953, Roncalli was named the Patriarch of Venice. This pastoral role, which he cherished, brought him closer to his flock. Elected Pope on 28 October 1958, he assumed the name John XXIII. His papacy, though brief, was transformative. Known as the “good Pope”, his encyclicals, Mater et Magistra and Pacem in Terris, were visionary. His magnum opus, the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council, set the Church on a renewed path.
In the hearts of many, he remains an emblem of evangelical kindness. His trust in the Lord was evident until his passing on 3 June 1963. His sanctity was recognized with beatification in 2000 by Pope John Paul II and canonization by Pope Francis in 2014.
Editorial credit: INTREEGUE Photography / Shutterstock.com
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