John XXIII: Papa Buono (The Good Pope)

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Pope St John XXIII by Carlo Pisi

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October 11th is the feast day of Pope St John XXIII (r. 1958-63).

There is a good statue of the pope, the work of the sculptor Carlo Pisi (1897-1979), outside the 20th century church of Gesù Buon Pastore alla Montagnola (Jesus the Good Shepherd at Montagnola). 

John XXIII was known as il Papa Buono, on account of his benevolence. His most famous achievement was the convening of the Second Vatican Council, which opened on October 11th 1962. 

Pope John XXIII was canonised by Pope Francis (r. 2013-) on April 27th 2014 and is interred under the Altar of St Jerome in St Peter's Basilica. 

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