Pope St. John XXIII, for whom our Fraternity is named, was born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli in 1881 in the Italian Diocese/Province of Bergamo. Mentored by a devout parish priest in his early life, Pope St. John XXIII acquired a deep spiritual faith foundation that helped him through challenging times, and that resulted in his diverse calling(s) of the apostolate. When he joined the Seminary of Bergamo, he studied classics and theology, and received spiritual direction. In 1896, he was admitted to the Secular Franciscan Order in the Bergamo Seminary and professed its Rule of Life on May 23, 1897.
Pope St. John XXIII would go on to become a priest, bishop, cardinal, and, on October 28, 1958, was elected Pope, where he took the name of John XXIII.
Although his pontificate was short and lasted only 5 years, he emerged to the world as a “genuine” image of the Good Shepherd. He was humble and kind, creative and bold, unpretentious, and dynamic, engaged in innumerable corporal and spiritual works of mercy, visited prisoners and the sick, embraced people of all nations and religions, and showed a superb sense of fatherhood to everyone. His Encyc1icals Mater et Magistra (1961) and Pacem in terris (1963) reflect his social magisterium.
As Bishop of Rome, he visited parishes and churches in both the historical center and suburbs of Rome. People observed in him a reflection of benignitas evangelica and called him the “good Pope”. A profound spirit of prayer sustained him. As the driving force behind a movement of renewal of the Church, he embodied the peace of one who trusts completely in the Lord. He advanced the paths of evangelization, ecumenism and dialogue, and showed a “paternal” concern to reach out to those of his children most in need.
His pontificate included convening the Synod of Rome (the first in the history of Rome), establishing the Commission for the Revision of the Code of Canon Law, and convening the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council.
Pope St. John XXIII died the evening of June 3, 1963, the day following Pentecost, in a profound spirit of abandonment to Jesus and longing for His embrace, encircled by the prayers of the entire world, which seemed to be gathered at his bedside to breathe with him the love of the Father.
Pope John XXIII was declared Blessed by Pope John Paul II on September 3, 2000.
Pope John XXIII was canonized by Pope Francis on April 27, 2014.