JOHN XXIII

born Nov. 25, 1881, Sotto il Monte, Italy died June 3, 1963, Rome original name Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli one of the most popular popes of all times (reigned 195863), who inaugurated a new era in the history of the Roman Catholic Church by his openness to change, shown especially in his convoking of the second Vatican Council. He wrote several socially important encyclicals (most notably Pacem in Terris).