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'''Pope John XXIII'' (1881-1963) was one of the most influential popes in history, despite his short reign from 1958 to 1963.  He called the [[Vatican II]] Council, which modernized the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. Renowned for his simplicity, humor, and charity, he was one of the most beloved popes of modern times.  

'''Pope John XXIII''' (1881-1963) was one of the most influential popes in history, despite his short reign from 1958 to 1963.  He called the [[Vatican II]] Council, which modernized the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. Renowned for his simplicity, humor, and charity, he was one of the most beloved popes of modern times.  

[[File:John-23.jpg|right|thumb|250px|[[Pope John Paul II]] reigned 1958-63]]

[[File:John-23.jpg|right|thumb|250px|[[Pope John Paul II]] reigned 1958-63]]

==Career==

==Career==

He was born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, the son of a farmer, in a poor, remote  village near Bergamo, Italy. At the age of 11 he was sent to the Bergamo seminary and eight years later to the Pontifical Seminary in Rome. He graduated as a doctor of theology in 1904 and was ordained a priest. He was on the staff of the Bishop of Bergamo until he became a chaplain in the World War. He then taught at the Bergamo seminary and wrote several books of religious history, including a multivolume biography of St. Carlo Borromeo.

He was born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, the son of a farmer, in a poor village near Bergamo, in northern Italy. At the age of 11 he was sent to the Bergamo seminary and eight years later to the Pontifical Seminary in Rome. He graduated as a doctor of theology in 1904 and was ordained a priest. He was on the staff of the Bishop of Bergamo until he became a chaplain in the World War. He then taught at the Bergamo seminary and wrote several books of religious history, including a multivolume biography of St. Carlo Borromeo.

In 1921 Father Roncalli was called to Rome by [[Pope Benedict XV]] to work with the missionary organization, the [[Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith]], which he helped reorganize.  

In 1921 Father Roncalli was called to Rome by [[Pope Benedict XV]] to work with the missionary organization, the [[Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith]], which he helped reorganize.