Pope John Xxiii: A Partner in Solidarity for A Changing World

Pope John XXIII: A Partner in Solidarity for a Changing World

Pope John was born Angelo Roncalli on November 25, 1881 in Bergamo Italy. He was the fourth child, born to a family of fourteen. His family worked as poor sharecroppers, and was often financially strained. Roncolli decided to become a preiest as a young man, and was ordained in 1904 at the age of twenty-three. Ten years later, during World War I, he was drafted into the army, and served in the medical corps, and as a chaplian. Pope Benedict XI appoineted him as the Italian President of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith in 1921 (Society 1). The goal of the society was to help missionaries through prayer and alm giving (Society 1). He was prometed again in 1925 as Apostolic Vistor to Bulgaria, this also made him eligible to be concecrated a bishop (Pope 1). The motto he chose was

"Obedueinta et Pax" or Obiedeince and Peace." This motto not only served him in consideration as bishop, but also provided a motto for life as his theological carrer began to take other forms (Pope 1). In 1953 he was apponted the Patriarch of Venice and sunsequently, became a Cardinal (Pope 2). He became a pope shortly after following the death of Pope Pius XII in 1958. Throughout his papacy, he was known as "Good Pope John" for his inviting warmth, good humor, and unrelenting kindness (Pope 2). One of his first acts as pope was to visit prisons saying, "You couldn't come to me, so I come to you (Pope 3). This initial act was demonstrative to his continuing commitment to solidarity throughout his reign.

Encyclicals or papal letters generally outline their goals or concerns to fulfill

during papacy (Social 1). Many of Pope John XIII's illustrate social justice concerns, and urge the Church to implement

practices to promote justice. His was called Mater et Magister or Mother and Teacher (Social 1). This document called attention to the crises of poverty and the widening gap between rich and poor, raised concern about the arms race, and called upon Christians to work for increasingly just ideals. His second major letter entitled Pacem in Terris or Peace on Earth focuses on human rights (Social 2), calls for disarmament, and calls for a worldwide institution to promote and safe guard the common good (Social 2).

The legacy