Pope John XXIII, born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli on November 25, 1881, in Sotto il Monte, Italy, was the fourth of fourteen children in a family of sharecroppers. Ordained as a priest in 1904, he served in various capacities, including as a military chaplain during World War I and later as a papal diplomat in countries such as Bulgaria, Turkey, and France. In 1953, he was appointed Patriarch of Venice and elevated to the rank of cardinal.

Elected pope on October 28, 1958, at the age of 76, John XXIII was initially perceived as a transitional figure. However, he soon demonstrated a vision for renewal by convening the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), aiming to address relations between the Catholic Church and the modern world. His encyclicals, such as Pacem in Terris, emphasized human rights and peace during a time of global tension.

Pope John XXIII passed away on June 3, 1963. He was beatified on September 3, 2000, and canonized on April 27, 2014. His feast day is celebrated on October 11, commemorating the opening date of the Second Vatican Council.