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St. John XXIII
October 11
Optional Memorial
St. John XXIII (1881–1963), born Angelo Roncalli, was elected pope at seventy-six and surprised the world by calling the Second Vatican Council. Beloved everywhere as the Good Pope John, he gave the Church his encyclical on peace among all peoples, Pacem in Terris, and his feast marks the opening of the Council on 11 October 1962.