August 22 • Pope John XXIII
Pope John XXIII, born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli in 1881 near Bergamo, became one of the most beloved figures of the modern Church. Known for his warmth, humility, and pastoral heart, he brought a spirit of kindness and openness to the papacy.
In 1962, he convened the Second Vatican Council, inviting the Church to renew its mission and engage the modern world with clarity, compassion, and hope. He also became a global voice for peace, human dignity, and understanding, especially through his encyclical Pacem in Terris.
Though his pontificate was brief, Pope John XXIII left an enduring legacy of renewal, charity, and spiritual leadership. He died in 1963 and is remembered affectionately as “the Good Pope.”
