John XXIII, Pope

Biography

Ordained priest on August 10, 1904. During the First World War he was called up as an official Health priest. In 1934 he was appointed Apostolic Delegate in Türkiye and Greece, and ten years later, Nuncio in Paris. In 1953 he was named Cardinal and Patriarch of Venice. On October 28, 1958, he was elected Pope. He immediately announced his intention to review the Code of Canon Law and the convocation of an Ecumenical Council. On October 11, 1962, the Second Vatican Council inaugurated. Among his Encyclicals, it is worth highlighting the worldwide echo they achieved: "Mater et magistra" and "Pacem in terris". Some anecdotes are told about him, such as the following: In the first weeks of his pontificate, when presented with the great problems of the spiritual government of the world, Pope John XXIII realized the formidable weight that had fallen on his shoulders. And sometimes, when he woke up suddenly during the night, the first thing that came to mind was worry. "I will speak to the Pope about it," he said to himself. But after a moment of surprise, upon completely waking up to reality: But, the Pope is me. Well, then I will speak to the good God about it." From the first days of his Pontificate, John XXIII gave clear signs that he would continue with the same simplicity as always. One day the Pope found several workers in his new rooms who were busy with wood, furniture, etc., preparing them. John XXIII immediately upon arriving, told them: "Do not worry, my children, continue your work. The workers stood still, unable to react; They couldn't work. The Pope looked for a chair and dusted it with a rag he found there. "Don't worry, that's it," he said to someone who tried to help him. And he continued, smiling. -You have to take care of your clothes, right? I remember that it cost my father a lot of money, then, for the first cassock that I wore and that he bought me; That's why I have always been very careful with them. They must be made to last." He began to calmly recite his breviary. But noticing that they were inhibited by his presence, he left them and went away. The virtue of poverty consists in the detachment of earthly goods. Not in their lack, but in knowing how to use them for what they are: means, not ends. Living well, this virtue entails taking care of the things we use, among others, clothing. The anecdote of John XXIII is very eloquent. The June 3, 1963 in Rome, after heroically enduring a cruel illness. The pope of loving gestures and great humanity, beatified by John Paul II on September 3, 2000.