The Second Vatican Council

The Second Vatican Council, held from 1962 to 1965, was a major meeting of Catholic leaders aimed at renewing the Church. It sought to modernize practices, improve relations with other religions, and engage more actively with the contemporary world. Key changes included allowing mass to be celebrated in local languages instead of Latin, promoting greater participation of the laity, and encouraging openness and dialogue. The council emphasized renewal, aggiornamento (updating), and a focus on social justice, aiming to make the Church more accessible, relevant, and connected with the needs of the modern global community.