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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.
==Diplomat==
==Diplomat==
His brilliant diplomatic career began in 1925 when [[Pope Pius XI]] made him archbishop and apostolic visitor to Bulgaria. In 1934 he moved to Istanbul as apostolic delegate to [[Turkey]] and [[Greece]]. After France was liberated by the Allies, [[Pope Pius XII]] named him papal nuncio to France in late 1944.
His brilliant diplomatic career began in 1925 when [[Pope Pius XI]] made him archbishop and apostolic visitor to Bulgaria. In 1934 he moved to Istanbul as apostolic delegate to [[Turkey]] and [[Greece]]. His pastoral initiatives and his ecumenical approach, particularly to the Greek Orthodox Church, combined with his diplomatic activities were of fundamental importance to the development of his thinking and as experimentation for the many innovations he implemented during his pontificate.
He cooperated with Chaim Barlas, head of the rescue delegation of the Jewish community in Palestine in order to save as many Jews as possible from the Nazis. Roncalli held an intense correspondence with the Vatican and its various offices, constantly warning the Holy See and urging it to act. In his conversations with Barlas, Roncalli expressed criticism of Pope Pius XII's slow response to the [[Holocaust]] and that Roncalli was the first to send to Rome the 'Auschwitz Protocols,' which he had received from Barlas.<ref>Dina Porat, "Tears, Protocols and Actions in a Wartime Triangle: Pius XII, Roncalli and Barlas," ''Cristianesimo Nella Storia'' 2006 27(2): 599-632 34p. </ref>
After France was liberated by the Allies, [[Pope Pius XII]] named him papal nuncio to France in late 1944.
Archbishop Roncalli's career as a diplomat ended in 1953 when he was made a cardinal and patriarch (archbishop) of [[Venice]]. On Oct. 28, 1958, he was elected pope to succeed [[Pope Pius XII]] and was crowned on November 4.
Archbishop Roncalli's career as a diplomat ended in 1953 when he was made a cardinal and patriarch (archbishop) of [[Venice]]. On Oct. 28, 1958, he was elected pope to succeed [[Pope Pius XII]] and was crowned on November 4.
==Pope==
==Pope==
When Pope John was elected, it was widely assumed that he would be an interim, caretaker pope. Instead, his reign of four and a half years was marked by several important departures from the policies of his immediate predecessors.
When Pope John was elected, it was widely assumed that he would be an interim, caretaker pope. Instead, his reign of four and a half years was marked by several important departures from the policies of his immediate predecessors.