Pope St. John XXIII signs his encyclical “Peace on Earth” (“Pacem in Terris”) at the Vatican in this 1963 file photo. Considered a highlight in Catholic social teaching, the encyclical addresses universal rights and relations between states. The future saint, whose baptism name was Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, is also known for opening the Second Vatican Council. CNS PHOTO

In the Diocese of Owensboro our new retirement residence for priests, due to be open before the end of this year, will be called the Roncalli Home for Priests, named for St. John XXIII whose baptismal name was Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli. Its small chapel will be dedicated to St. John XXIII.

Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was born Nov. 25, 1881, in northern Italy as one of 13 children in a family who scraped by with simple persistence as sharecroppers. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1904 after completing seminary studies where he had distinguished himself as a scholar. Early on in his priesthood he began service in various diplomatic posts for the Holy See.

His humble background was not the typical one in the early 20th century to see advancement in the Church, but it seems that at every level of service he distinguished himself, though many in the Church hierarchy may have considered him just a “country boy.”

In various appointments during the Second World War, Fr. Roncalli had quietly done what he could to assist the Jews of Europe to escape Nazi persecution. This story went largely untold and unrecognized until the war ended. Had Fr. Roncalli called attention to his work, it would likely have been to the great detriment of both those he sought to assist and to himself.

Following the war, Pope Pius XII named Fr. Roncalli to be the apostolic nuncio to France, a highly notable position in the time of Europe’s reconstruction. This role demanded his presence and participation in the political and social life of Paris.

In 1953 he was appointed the archbishop and patriarch of Venice, then and now one of the most notable of all the Church. In this role he was also named a cardinal and became better known to the mostly European and Italian cardinals.

In November 1958, Archbishop Roncalli was elected pope following the death of Pope Pius XII and took the name John XXIII. He was 76 years old and the conventual wisdom was that the College of Cardinals chose an elderly man to be a caretaker pope as the Church was still striving to define its place and regroup in a postwar Europe.

The caretaker pope surprised the world, and his cardinals, when just weeks into his papacy he announced that he would convene an ecumenical council, the first in over 90 years. A familiar story is that he had consulted with close confidants about this intention and was encouraged to move slowly.   With his announcement in January 1959, he surprised the Church and the world.

The Second Vatican Council was opened on October 11, 1962 assembling bishops from throughout the world for the first of five weeks-long sessions that would conclude in December 1965.

Pope John only lived to see and participate in the first of those five sessions, dying in June of 1963.

He was canonized in 2014 by Pope Francis. His feast day was set as October 11, commemorating the opening of Vatican II.

One more remembrance of St. John XXIII’s humor. He was once asked, “How many people work in the Vatican?” His quick response: “Oh, about half of them.”

May God bless you always!

Most Reverend William F. Medley
Diocese of Owensboro

Originally printed in the October 2026 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.