When we speak of Pope John XXIII, we speak of a man whose warmth, humility, and courage helped reshape the Catholic Church in the 20th century. Born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli in 1881 in a poor Italian farming family, he rose through the Church not as a politician or scholar alone, but as a true pastor—a shepherd who loved his people. His kindness and simplicity earned him the affectionate title “Il Papa Buono,” the Good Pope.
As pope from 1958 to 1963, John XXIII’s most lasting legacy was his decision to call the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II)—a historic gathering that opened the windows of the Church to the modern world. He wanted the Church not to close itself off, but to “let in fresh air,” so that the Gospel could be heard anew in every age. His vision was not to change the faith, but to renew how it was lived and communicated, with mercy and hope at its heart.
Pope John XXIII was also deeply committed to peace and human dignity. In 1963, during the height of the Cold War, he wrote Pacem in Terris (“Peace on Earth”), an encyclical addressed not only to Catholics, but to all people of goodwill. In it, he called for justice, dialogue, and the recognition of every human person’s rights as children of God—a message that still speaks powerfully today.
He died only five years after his election, yet his gentle spirit continues to touch the world. Canonized in 2014 by Pope Francis, Saint John XXIII remains a symbol of the Church’s call to mercy, unity, and joyful faith. His life reminds us that holiness is found not in power, but in the humble love that brings renewal to others.
May we, like Saint John XXIII, open our hearts to the Holy Spirit’s breath of renewal—and let Christ’s peace shine through us in a world longing for hope.
— Fr. John Matthew, for Christian Way
