To surprise, shock, and renew the universal Catholic Church almost overnight, relatively speaking, would seem just about impossible and incomprehensible. But one, 77 year old, recently elected Pope did it and today we remember fondly Pope John XXIII. On this day, 60 years ago, Pope John opened the first general session of Vatican II; Vatican I had convened 92 years earlier. As the bishops of the church came together in 1962 for this historic gathering, it was Pope John’s hope to bring spiritual rebirth to Catholicism and promote new dialog with Protestants, Orthodox Christians, Muslims, and Jewish leaders. In general, he wanted a ‘new Pentecost’ for the church, a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He said: “I want to throw open the windows of the Church so we can see out and the people can see in.” And so it happened. Renewal did occur and the rest is history.
Who is this man who changed history and what was he like? Pope John XXIII was born Angelo Guiseppe Roncalli near Bergamo, Italy, in 1881. He came from simple, peasant beginnings as the son of a tenant farmer. Ordained a priest in 1904, he lived his vocation in modest ways, serving as a professor, historian, biographer, and diplomat. For the first 54 years of his ministry, he was known as a good-natured conformist who obediently followed orders. When he was appointed papal envoy to Turkey during World War II, he is credited with saving thousands of Jewish lives when he helped to arrange their escape.
Although he did good works and was popular with the people and his priest friends, few believed he would ever be elected Pope. However, after Pope Pius XII died in 1958, Cardinal Roncalli was elected the new Pope on the 12th ballot. Obviously, he was not a front runner! In fact, at 77 years old, he was elected by the Curia who chose him as someone they believed would follow the status quo for a few years while they could prepare a younger traditionalist Cardinal to succeed him. It wasn’t long, however, before the new Pope surprised the Vatican’s conservative leadership by taking steps to modernize the church, renew its liturgy, involve the laity dramatically, strengthen its outreach to those in need, and converse with other faiths. He focused on creating an environment of dialogue, where the church would engage in all the forces of the modern world.
Pope John XXIII had a warm personality and was as comfortable talking to peasants as freely as he did with diplomats. He has been called ‘The Good Pope’ because of his humble, loving, open character, and quickly became a father figure for both Catholics and non-Catholics.
He also had a great sense of humor. One day someone asked him how many people work in the Vatican. He replied: “Probably about half.”
From this humble, Spirit filled man, we have learned that throughout his whole life, Angelo Roncalli cooperated with God’s grace. He believed that whatever he was doing was worthy of his best efforts. We can do likewise.
We remember today, and are grateful for, this wise Shepherd of our Church who once shared this meaningful thought with his flock, and which we can reflect on now: “Do not walk through time without leaving worthy evidence of your passage.”
