John XXIII

Pope John XXIII, born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli in 1881, was the leader of the Roman Catholic Church from 1958 to 1963. Known for his warm personality and commitment to renewal, he convened Vatican II, a major council that modernized church practices and promoted greater engagement with the contemporary world. His emphasis on peace, openness, and dialogue earned him respect across many communities. Despite his short papacy, he is remembered for his humility, reform efforts, and efforts to foster understanding among different religions and cultures. He was canonized as a saint in 2014.