Angelo Roncalli, the good Pope who became a saint. On 25 November 1881 in Sotto il Monte, in the province of Bergamo, Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was born who would become pontiff with the name of John XXIII, all referred to as the 'Good Pope'. Angelo Roncalli ends his earthly life on June 3, 1963, while the whole Catholic world is gathered in prayer for his soul. In 2014 John XXIII knows the glory of the altars together with John Paul II, the canonization ceremony of the two holy popes, in St. Peter's Square, attracts thousands of faithful from all over the world.
Angelo Roncalli, from humble seminarian to patriarch of Venice
Angelo Roncalli is the fourth of thirteen brothers from a family of humble origins. He studied at the minor seminary in Bergamo thanks to his uncle's financial support. Later he moved to the seminary of the Apollinare in Rome where he completed his studies with full marks.
From an early age, he manifested his devotion to the Virgin Mary with numerous pilgrimages to the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Bosco in Imbersago. He received priestly ordination in 1904 in Piazza del Popolo in Rome. During the First World War, Don Roncalli also played the role of military chaplain. On 12 January 1953 the Nuncio Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli is named cardinaland by Pius XII and three days later he was assigned the leadership of the patriarchate of Venezia.
Angelo Roncalli ascends the Chair of Peter
The conclave of 1958 convened after the death of Pope Pius XII, is held from 25 to 28 October. After eleven ballots comes the white smoke: Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli is elected pope by the cardinals gathered in the Sistine Chapel.
Angelo Roncalli takes the name of Giovanni XXIII
The patriarch of Venice, already advanced in years, takes the name of John XXIII. Everyone thought that, given his age, he would be a transitional pope, and that therefore there would be no setbacks and jolts of any kind at the helm of the Church of Rome.
But any predictions will be disproved by what it will be an extraordinary papacy that will leave an indelible mark on the history of the Church and of the whole world. Angelo Roncalli, vicar of Christ on earth, remained in the chair of Peter for only five years. Only five years, in which Pope John XXIII writes history together with the powerful of the earth.
Pacem in terris
The encyclical letter "Pacem in Terris“, Published in April 1963, expresses all the modernity of Pope Roncalli's thought. "Peace on earth, the deep yearning of human beings of all times, can only be established and consolidated in full respect of the order established by God ".
This is the beginning of the papal encyclical which becomes a pacifist manifesto in the era of the so-called 'cold war'. In fact, it is a moment in which the world is divided between two blocs, the Soviet Union and the United States, ready to do battle. There Pacem in Terris it still remains today a historical, theological and socio-cultural document, among the most important of all Twentieth century.
The Second Vatican Council
The good pope is also and above all the 'Pope of the Council'. On 4 October 1962, Pope Roncalli goes to Loreto and Assisi to place under the protection of Madonna need Saint Francis il Vatican Council II: the 'revolution' that marks the beginning of the modern era for the Catholic Church. The Second Vatican Council began on 11 October 1962 in the presence of 2540 council fathers gathered from all over the Catholic world. For the first time, non-Catholic Christian observers are also invited to the Council.
Gaudet Mater Ecclesia
Pope John XXIII opens the conciliar work with an address Gaudet Mater Ecclesia. In his speech, the pontiff reaffirms the purpose of the Council, which is to propose Christian doctrine and tradition in a form suitable for the contemporary world.
Il Holy Father he points out that the content of faith is and remains immutable but it must certainly change the way it is presented and made to live by the people of God. Pope Roncalli dies only a few months after opening the conciliar works that were concluded by Paul VI on December 8, 1965. The transitional pope actually turned out to be a great innovator, a man of history.
The speech of the moon
One of the most famous speeches of St. John XXIII is undoubtedly the "speech of the moon". THE'11 October 1962, on the occasion of the evening of opening of the Council, St. Peter's Square it is packed with the faithful. Pope Roncalli looks out to bless the crowd and then speaks off the cuff, delivers a speech that remains engraved in everyone's hearts. "Dear children, I hear your voices. Mine is one voice, but it sums up the voice of the whole world.
Here the whole world is represented. It seems that even the moon has rushed tonight - look at it above - to look at this spectacle. At home, you will find children. Give your children a caress and say: this is the Pope's caress. You will find some tears to dry, say a good word: the Pope is with us, especially in the hours of sadness and bitterness.".
(Photo Pixabay / Ansa / Vaticannews.va)
