Born in Italy in 1881, he was the oldest son of Giovanni and Marianna Roncalli, the fourth of thirteen children and his Baptismal name was Angelo. 

A brilliant student, Angeklo was also a man of deep faith and, when he was fifteen, he joined the Secular Order of the Franciscans. 

He went on to study at the university, receiving his Doctorate in Canon Law in 1904, the same year he became a priest. 

During World War I, he was a stretcher bearer, getting a very close look at the ravages of war. 

In 1921, he became the National Director for the Propagation of The Faith in Italy. Four years later, he was made a Papal Diplomat and was assigned, first to Bulgaria, then Turkey and France. 

During World War II, he was a powerful force helping to save the lives of many Jews and refugees. 

In 1944, he was named Papal Nuncio and it was in this capacity he helped force the retirement of Bishops who had collaborated with the Nazis. 

In 1953, he was named Cardinal and six years later elected Pope, choosing the name John because that was the name of the Church where he was Baptized. His encyclicals; Mother and Teacher and Peace on Earth were among his hallmarks. 

He expanded the College of Cardinals and, of course, opened the Second Vatican Council. 

On his deathbed, Pope John XXIII said; “It is not that the Gospel has changed. It is that we have begun to understand it better.” 

He died on June 3, 1963, and was Canonized in 2014. 

St. Pope John XXIII, please pray for us.