St. Pope John XXIII

Born: November 25, 1881

Died: June 3, 1963

Feast day: October 11

Patron saint of: Second Vatican Council, Christian unity, papal delegates

If Pope John’s vision wasn’t apparent to others at the moment of his election, it became crystal clear 90 days into his pontificate when he announced the Second Vatican Council. Pope John stated that this would be an ecumenical council, not simply in the traditional sense of the word, but that he was including a “renewed cordial invitation to the faithful of the separated communities to participate with us in this quest for unity and grace.” When the Protestant and Orthodox observers arrived at the council three years later, they were amazed to discover they had been given the best seats in the house. They were welcome indeed.

John XXIII built other bridges as well, many long overdue. On the pope’s 80th birthday, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev sent him birthday greetings. While his advisers recommended against responding, John replied with thanks and a promise to pray for the people of Russia. This was the first formal communication between the Vatican and the Kremlin since 1917, and it led to a thaw in relations that allowed John, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, to issue a public plea for peace that permitted Khrushchev to back down without losing face.

—Father Scott Jones, S.D.S.