When was Pope John XXIII born?

Pope John XXIII was born on 25 November 1881 in Sotto il Monte Giovanni XXIII.

What positions has Pope John XXIII held?

Positions held by Pope John XXIII include: Pope (1958–1963); cardinal priest (1953–1958); patriarch of Venice (1953–1958); cardinal (since 12 January 1953); Apostolic Nuncio to France (1944–1953).

Where did Pope John XXIII study?

Pope John XXIII was educated at Pontifical Roman Seminary, Sapienza University of Rome.

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Pope John XXIII

Priest, bishop, cardinal, pope

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Pope John XXIII (born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli; 25 November 1881 – 3 June 1963) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City from 28 October 1958 until his death on 3 June 1963.

Quick facts

Born: 25 November 1881 wd
Place of birth: Sotto il Monte Giovanni XXIII wd
Died: 3 June 1963 wd
Place of death: Apostolic Palace wd
Citizenship: Italy, Vatican City wd
Occupation: Latin Catholic priest, transitional deacon, Latin Catholic bishop, military chaplain, bishop, Pope wd
Education: Pontifical Roman Seminary, Sapienza University of Rome wd

Positions held wd

Pope (28 October 1958 – 3 June 1963)
cardinal priest (29 October 1953 – 28 October 1958)
patriarch of Venice (15 January 1953 – 28 October 1958)
cardinal (since 12 January 1953)
Apostolic Nuncio to France (22 December 1944 – 12 January 1953)
titular archbishop (30 November 1934 – 29 October 1953)
titular archbishop (3 March 1925 – 30 November 1934)
apostolic visitor (since 3 March 1925)
deacon (since 18 December 1903)
apostolic delegate

Awards wd

Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour (1958)
Presidential Medal of Freedom (1963)
Balzan Prize (1963)
Order of St. Gregory the Great
Order of Pius IX
Order of the Golden Spur
Grand Cross 1st class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (1957)
Supreme Order of Christ
War Merit Cross (Italy)
Commemorative Medal for the Italo-Austrian War 1915-1918
Commemorative Medal of the Unity of Italy
Inter-Allied Victory Medal (Italy)

About

Roncalli was among 13 children born to Marianna Mazzola and Giovanni Battista Roncalli in a family of sharecroppers who lived in Sotto il Monte, a village in the province of Bergamo, Lombardy. He was ordained to the priesthood on 10 August 1904 and served in a number of posts, as nuncio in France and a delegate to Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey. In a consistory on 12 January 1953 Pope Pius XII made Roncalli a cardinal as the Cardinal-priest of Santa Prisca in addition to naming him as the Patriarch of Venice. Roncalli was unexpectedly elected pope on 28 October 1958 at age 76 after Pope Pius XII's death. Pope John XXIII surprised those who expected him to be a caretaker pope by calling the historic Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), the first session opening on 11 October 1962, which is now his feast.

John XXIII made many passionate speeches during his pontificate. His views on equality were summed up in his statement, "We were all made in God's image, and thus, we are all Godly alike." He made a major impact on the Catholic Church, opening it up to the changes of the Second Vatican Council and by his own dealings with other churches and nations. In Italian politics, he prohibited bishops from interfering with local elections, and he helped the Christian Democracy party to cooperate with the Italian Socialist Party. In international affairs, his Ostpolitik engaged in dialogue with the communist countries of Eastern Europe. He especially reached out to the Eastern Orthodox churches.

John XXIII's overall goal was to modernize the Church by emphasizing its pastoral role, and its necessary involvement with affairs of state. He dropped the traditional rule of 70 cardinals,…

Questions

When was Pope John XXIII born?: Pope John XXIII was born on 25 November 1881 in Sotto il Monte Giovanni XXIII.
What positions has Pope John XXIII held?: Positions held by Pope John XXIII include: Pope (1958–1963); cardinal priest (1953–1958); patriarch of Venice (1953–1958); cardinal (since 12 January 1953); Apostolic Nuncio to France (1944–1953).
Where did Pope John XXIII study?: Pope John XXIII was educated at Pontifical Roman Seminary, Sapienza University of Rome.

Sources

Last updated 3 November 2026 · facts checked 4 November 2026

Cite this page

"Pope John XXIII". DigiNepal. Last updated 3 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/pope-john-xxiii. Retrieved 4 November 2026.

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Text from the Wikipedia article Pope John XXIII, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Ioannes XXIII, by De Agostini, 1958–1963.jpg — De Agostini Editore, Public domain.

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