Pope

Pope John XXIII

Pope
#5,389
Most Influential Person Across History

Head of the Catholic Church from 1958 to 1963

Why Is Pope John XXIII Influential?

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According to Wikipedia, Pope John XXIII was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 28 October 1958 until his death in June 1963. He was among 13 children born to Marianna Mazzola and Giovanni Battista Roncalli in a family of sharecroppers who lived in Sotto il Monte, a village in the province of Bergamo, Lombardy. He was ordained to the priesthood on 10 August 1904 and served in a number of posts, as nuncio in France and a delegate to Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey. In a consistory on 12 January 1953 Pope Pius XII made Roncalli a cardinal as the Cardinal-Priest of Santa Prisca in addition to naming him as the Patriarch of Venice. Roncalli was unexpectedly elected pope on 28 October 1958 at age 76 after eleven ballots. Pope John XXIII surprised those who expected him to be a caretaker pope by calling the historic Second Vatican Council , the first session opening on 11 October 1962, which is now his feast.

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What Schools Are Affiliated With Pope John XXIII?

Pope John XXIII is affiliated with the following schools: