Pope John XXIII was born on November 25, 1881, as Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli in Sotto il Monte, Italy. Born to devout parents, Angelo was the fourth of 14 children. His godfather received responsibility for his religious instruction and established in him a great love and appreciation for the mystery of God.

At the age of 11, he enrolled in the minor seminary in 1892, became a Secular Franciscan in 1896, and enrolled in the Pontifical Roman Seminary in 1901. He began teaching in the seminary after being ordained in 1904 and was later named the bishop of Bergamo's secretary.

During this formative time, St. Charles Borromeo and St. Francis de Sales, two exceptional scholars and powerful pastors, were his closest friends among the saints.

He worked as a seminary's spiritual leader, a military priest during World War One, and the Italian president of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in 1921.

He was consecrated a bishop and appointed the Apostolic Visitator in Bulgaria by Pope Pius XI in 1925. He selected the phrase "Oboedientia et Pax" as his Episcopal motto. He was sent to Turkey and Greece in 1935, where he preached to the Catholic populace and interacted with Muslims and Orthodox Christians.

He sought safe passage for Jews during the Second World War using his diplomatic connections to save as many as he could.

He was made a cardinal and appointed Patriarch of Venice in 1953. He was a beloved priest who gave everything of himself to the welfare of his congregation.

Pope John XXIII was elected Pope on October 28, 1958, the same day as Pope Pius XII died; he was an example of a 'pastoral' Pope, a good shepherd who sincerely cared for his flock. This concern was expressed in his social encyclicals, particularly Pacem in Terris, "On peace in the World."

His motivation for calling the Second Vatican Council, which he convened on October 11, 1962, was certainly his greatest deed as Pope.

Pope John's attitude of great goodness, simplicity, and devotion to prayer shone through in everything he did, leading people to affectionately refer to him as "Good Pope John."

He passed away in Rome on June 3, 1963, and on September 3, 2000, Pope John Paul II beatified him. On April 27, 2014, Pope Francis canonized him in St. Peter's Square alongside Pope St. John Paul II, who beatified him. He is the patron of Papal delegates, the Patriarchy of Venice and Second Vatican Council. His feast is celebrated on October 11.

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